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US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth seemed to confirm in a congressional hearing that Pentagon has developed contingency plans for potential military operations in Greenland and Panama.

"Our job at the Defense Department is to have plans for any contingency," Hegseth stated repeatedly on Thursday when asked by Democratic Rep. Adam Smith of Washington if the Defense Department has plans to take Greenland or Panama by force if needed, the CBS reported.

"Any contingency you need, we've got it.

"We got a building full of planners, and we're prepared to give recommendations whenever needed," Hegseth responded when Smith asked further, querying if that includes the possibility of "basically invading Denmark."

Smith followed up again: "You have plans to take Panama and Greenland by force, if necessary?"

In his reply, Hegseth said he believes the American people would like to see Pentagon have plans "for any particular contingency."

"Speaking on behalf of the American people, I don't think the American people voted for President Trump because they were hoping we would invade Greenland," Smith, for his part, noted.

Stepping in to "help" Hegseth, Republican Rep. Mike Turner of Ohio asked the US defense chief: "You are not confirming in your testimony today that at the Pentagon, there are plans for invading or taking by force Greenland, correct?

"That is not your testimony today?"

Hegseth replied that his testimony is simply that the Pentagon prepares "for any number of contingencies."

"It is not your testimony today that there are plans at the Pentagon for taking by force or invading Greenland, correct?" Turner asked further.

Hegseth also stated that they expect to cooperate with Greenland to make sure it is safeguarded from any possible threats.

On multiple occasions, US President Donald Trump has expressed his desire to obtain control of Greenland, a strategically important and resource-abundant island that maintains close ties with the US. Greenland's leadership has consistently rejected these remarks.