[By Guancha Network, Qi Qian] After Donald Trump took office as the President of the United States, he made no secret of his coveting over Greenland and the Panama Canal, repeatedly making threatening remarks, which were condemned by the international community. However, the Trump administration still refused to give up. On June 12th local time, US Secretary of Defense Hackett seemed to admit that the Pentagon had already formulated plans to "use force to seize" Greenland and Panama when necessary.

According to reports from the Associated Press and CBS News, at a congressional hearing held by the House Armed Services Committee, Hackett engaged in intense exchanges with Democratic lawmakers and veterans present.

During this period, a Democratic lawmaker asked if the Department of Defense had plans to "use force to seize" Greenland or Panama when necessary?

Hackett repeatedly stated: "Our job at the Department of Defense is to formulate plans for any possible contingency."

When pressed further about whether the Pentagon's plan included "contingency measures for invading Denmark," his response was surprising: "We can provide any contingency plan you need. We have many planners in the Pentagon who are always ready to offer suggestions."

Screenshot of Hackett's shocking remarks in Congress

The AP reported that it is not uncommon for the Pentagon to formulate contingency plans for potential conflicts that have not yet occurred. However, Hackett's handling of the question shocked many Democrats and prompted a Republican congressman to step in to clarify.

"I just want to help because someone always tries to distort your words," said Mike Turner, a Republican congressman from Ohio, to Hackett. "Your testimony today does not confirm that the Pentagon has plans to invade or forcibly take over Greenland, right?"

However, Hackett once again made a surprising statement: "All my testimony indicates that the Pentagon has prepared plans for various emergencies."

Turner still tried to salvage the situation: "The Pentagon planning to forcibly take over or invade Greenland is not your testimony, is it? I sincerely hope it isn't."

Finally, Hackett seemed to understand the situation and responded: "We look forward to cooperating with Greenland to ensure its security against any potential threats."

Screenshot of Hackett's heated exchange with Democratic lawmakers

Since becoming the Secretary of Defense, Hackett has been mired in trouble. Previously, he was embroiled in two "leak scandal" incidents, leaking military secrets in Signal group chats and later being exposed for posting detailed military action plans in family group chats.

At this hearing, Democratic lawmakers and some veterans finally found an opportunity to settle accounts with Hackett. It was reported that lawmakers repeatedly pressured Hackett to answer questions he had been evading for months. During this process, someone angrily shouted: "You shame this country. You don't deserve to lead the Pentagon. You should leave."

Hackett still avoided answering questions regarding military actions mentioned in Signal group chats, claiming that any classified information related to these military actions could not be discussed with lawmakers and refused to respond to whether he should be held responsible for them.

In addition, Hackett engaged in intense debates with lawmakers over the Pentagon's DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) agenda, insisting that the military should eliminate DEI and political correctness. He also argued that such actions did not politicize the military.

Trump had shown interest in Greenland during his first term. Since taking office in January, he has further pressured, refusing to rule out the possibility of forcibly taking the island, seemingly determined not to "annex" it until it happens. At the same time, Trump repeatedly criticized Panama for charging high fees for passage through the Panama Canal, threatening to reclaim this "important American national asset," while not forgetting to bring up China.

Previous analysis by US media noted that as global powers seek to expand their influence and presence in the Arctic region, resource-rich Greenland is favored for its strategic value in terms of security and trade. The large US airbase on Greenland is of great significance to the US military.

Trump's "imperialist ambitions" have been condemned by Greenland, Denmark, Panama, and the international community.

According to AP reports, on the 12th local time, Jacob Isbossen, the representative of the autonomous government of Greenland in the United States, once again rejected Trump's administration's "annexation ambitions" at a forum. He reiterated: "Greenland is not for sale."

This article is an exclusive contribution from Guancha Network and cannot be reprinted without permission.

Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7515240484109910565/

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