Hegseth does not deny the Pentagon has contingency plans to invade Greenland and Panama if necessary
www.stripes.com

... Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday avoided answering lawmakers whether the Pentagon has plans to take Greenland and Panama by force, saying the Defense Department develops plans for "any particular contingency."

Hegseth's refusal to give a direct answer to the House Armed Services Committee alarmed Democrats and Republicans, who repeatedly asked him to clarify the Pentagon's stance toward two territories eyed by President Donald Trump.

"It is not your testimony today that there are plans at the Pentagon for taking by force or invading Greenland, correct?" said Rep. Mike Turner, R-Ohio. "Because I sure as ---- hope that it is not your testimony."

Hegseth responded: "We look forward to working with Greenland to make sure it is secured from any potential threats."

Trump has said he wants to annex Greenland, a territory of Denmark, "for national security purposes" and expressed desire to reassert American control over the Panama Canal, by military means if necessary.

Rep. Adam Smith of Washington, the top Democrat on the committee, asked Hegseth whether it was the policy of the Pentagon that the U.S. needs to be prepared to take Greenland and Panama by force.

"Our job at the DOD is to have plans," Hegseth said, referring to the Defense Department. "I think the American people would want the Pentagon to have plans for any particular contingency and thankfully we are in the planning business."

Smith said he did not believe the American people voted for Trump "because they were hoping we would invade Greenland."

The tense exchange began a series of other confrontations between Hegseth and Democrats, who demanded the Pentagon chief stick to simple "yes" or "no" answers as they questioned his controversial tenure. ...