Trump says he is naming Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry special envoy to Greenland – NOLA.com

President Donald Trump said on social media Sunday evening that he was appointing Gov. Jeff Landry as the “United States Special Envoy to Greenland.”

Landry said on X the role “in no way affects my position as Governor of Louisiana.”

“It’s an honor to serve you in this volunteer position to make Greenland a part of the U.S,” Landry said in a post addressed to Trump.

The president earlier this year had expressed interest in the U.S. acquiring Greenland.

“Jeff understands how essential Greenland is to our National Security, and will strongly advance our Country’s interests for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Allies, and indeed, the World.” Trump wrote on Truth Socal. “Congratulations Jeff!”

Shane Guidry, a businessman and Landry confidant who is often the governor’s point man on issues related to New Orleans, said the governor is still working to understand what the job entails.

“But when the president calls, you try to help him,” Guidry said. “It’s possible he could be on the negotiating team. It’s no different than when he asks me to help negotiate the Saints’ contract.”

The announcement surprised many people in Louisiana political circles.

“He hasn’t called me. You think he would have called me, even if he would keep the job,” said Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser. “I’m speechless. That’s not very often from me.”

Greenland, which is the largest non-continent island in the world, is a self-governing territory of Denmark. It is home to about 56,000 people.

Vice President J.D. Vance visited a U.S. military base on the island in March, giving a speech that Denmark has “not done a good job by the people of Greenland,” and that residents would be better off with closer ties to the United States.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.