U.S. Secretary of Defense addressed a congressional committee on Thursday, facing repeated questioning about potential U.S. plans to invade Greenland and Panama. Pete Hegseth refrained from giving direct answers, leading to further inquiries from committee members.

Democrat Adam Smith pressed Hegseth on whether the Department of Defense has a policy to be ready to take Greenland and Panama by force if necessary. Hegseth initially responded by discussing Chinese influence, but Smith continued to press for a clear answer. Hegseth stated that the Department of Defense’s job is to have plans for any eventuality.

Smith then questioned whether this “eventuality” included “basically invading Denmark,” before being cut off by Hegseth’s assertion that the Department of Defense is prepared for all situations. Smith reiterated his question, asking for confirmation that plans exist to take Panama and Greenland by force if necessary.

Hegseth responded by stating that the American people would want the Pentagon to have plans for any eventuality. Later, Republican Congressman Mike Turner sought to clarify Hegseth’s statements, asking if he was confirming the existence of plans to invade or take Greenland by force. Hegseth replied that the Pentagon has plans for many different eventualities.

Turner further pressed Hegseth, asking if his testimony indicated the existence of plans to forcibly take or invade Greenland. Hegseth then stated that the U.S. looks forward to working with Greenland to ensure it is secured against all potential threats.

The questioning comes after U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in taking over Greenland and has refused to rule out the use of force. Hegseth’s testimony occurred during a House Armed Services Committee hearing, where he was scheduled to discuss the Pentagon’s budget, among other topics.