President-elect Donald Trump’s annexation plans for Greenland might have a Democratic supporter … with one catch.

Gov. Jared Polis of Colorado said Tuesday that he would welcome the huge Danish-owned island off the North American coast, but not as the 51st state.

“If it’s the choice of the people of Greenland to join the greatest country on earth, I would welcome them as our 53rd state, right after we admit Puerto Rico and Washington DC as states,” Mr. Polis wrote on X.

Mr. Trump has spoken openly about acquiring Greenland from Denmark, which has ruled or co-ruled the territory since before U.S. independence. Donald Trump Jr. was in Greenland on Tuesday for what he said was a non-political visit.

It wasn’t immediately obvious how serious Mr. Polis was being, but this expansion of the U.S. to 53 states would offer a quick partisan edge to the Democrats.

The District of Columbia and Puerto Rico both lean solidly left, and would be expected to elect four Democratic senators. The District would get one U.S. House member and Puerto Rico four.

With a population of less than 60,000, Greenland would be the smallest U.S. state by a factor of 10.

• Victor Morton can be reached at vmorton@washingtontimes.com.