Increasingly isolated, Murkowski warns of alarming rhetoric from Washington

Speaking via Zoom at the Arctic Frontiers Conference in Tromsø, Norway, Alaska Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski delivered a pointed critique of the combative rhetoric coming out of Washington, D.C., under the Trump administration. Known for her independence and frequent willingness to oppose her party’s leader, Murkowski offered a starkly different vision for U.S. engagement in the Arctic—one rooted in respect and collaboration.

Murkowski has long been a thorn in Trump’s side, having voted to convict him following the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack and she voted against President Donald Trump’s nomination of Pete Hegseth for Defense Secretary, becoming the first Republican senator to oppose a Trump Cabinet pick during his second term. Her dissent has set her apart in a Republican Party largely aligned with Trump’s tone and policies. At the Arctic Frontiers Conference, her conciliatory tone seemed to draw a collective sigh of relief from attendees.

“I find this concerning. Greenland should be viewed as an ally, not an asset,” Murkowski said, referencing a joint statement released earlier this week with Greenlandic MP Aaja Chemnitz.

She criticized the notion of treating Greenland as a commodity, as she emphasized the importance of sovereignty and collaboration.

“We can do so much more to build on security relationships, economic partnerships, and cultural ties,” she said. “But this must be done in a collaborative and respectful way—not as if Greenland is for sale.”

Her remarks were greeted with applause, a clear indication that her accommodating approach resonated with the audience.

A lone voice in Trump’s GOP

Murkowski acknowledged her limited ability to influence the tone emanating from Washington, particularly from the White House.

“I wish I could tell you that I have some level of control over the rhetoric coming out of Washington, but I don’t. It’s a new day,” she said, her exasperation palpable.

Her isolation within the party in a way mirrors the physical remoteness of Alaska itself. Like her vast, sparsely populated state, Murkowski often finds herself standing apart from the crowded centers of power in Washington. While her voice carries weight in Arctic policy circles, her ability to sway a president known for his brash and transactional approach to leadership remains constrained.

Rhetoric rooted in a colonial mindset

Murkowski didn’t hold back in addressing what she called a “colonial mindset” underlying Trump’s Arctic rhetoric. She pointed to the lack of focus on the people of Greenland in discussions about the region.

“When you hear about the Arctic, there’s very little mention of the 56,000 people in Greenland,” she said. “That does not mean they should be ignored or shoved aside.”

She warned that such rhetoric risks undermining the United States’ credibility.

“How we approach our relationships in the Arctic should be done in a manner that is respectful to those who live there and to the role that Denmark plays,” Murkowski added.

Strategic importance misinterpreted

Describing Greenland as “location, location, location,” Murkowski invoked a phrase commonly used in real estate, referencing Trump’s own background in the industry. She noted Greenland’s strategic importance for Arctic security and its untapped potential for economic and cultural collaboration.

“We can do so much more to build on security relationships, economic partnerships, and cultural ties,” she said. “But this must be done in a collaborative and respectful way—not as if Greenland is for sale.”

A call for respectful leadership

Her concerns about rhetoric extended to the broader implications for Indigenous peoples in the Arctic.

“Unfortunately, what we’re seeing does not reflect respect for the Indigenous peoples who have lived there for thousands of years,” she said.

Murkowski underlined the need for U.S. leadership in the Arctic to prioritize respect and collaboration. She pointed to the challenges posed by the U.S.’s leadership transition, saying the new Secretary of State Marco Rubio is “new to Arctic issues.”

Her remarks served as a stark contrast to the more aggressive tone associated with Trump, offering a vision of diplomacy that prioritizes sovereignty and collaboration. The new administration in Washington might be ushering in a new day for the Arctic, but Murkowski’s words reflected her commitment to diplomacy over saber-rattling.

“If we want to talk about new initiatives, it needs to be done respectfully—to the people who live there and to Denmark. The rhetoric coming out of Washington is not the way to do that.”