Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth would not rule out U.S. military action in Panama or Greenland to protect American interests, telling lawmakers Thursday that the Pentagon is ready for anything. 

During testimony before the House Armed Services Committee, Mr. Hegseth said the Pentagon has contingency plans for numerous situations in Greenland or Panama, two nations that have drawn the White House’s attention this year. 

“Our job at the DOD is to have plans, and we have a lot of them,” he said when asked if the Pentagon was prepared for military actions in Greenland or Panama. “I think the American people would want the Pentagon to have plans for anything.”

Mr. Hegseth clarified that the Pentagon is dedicated to countering Chinese influence in regions like Panama and Greenland, and would not rule out military action. 

The secretary’s answers punctuated an already contentious hearing, and Democratic lawmakers accused Mr. Hegseth of parroting rhetoric that will alienate U.S. allies. 

“I don’t think people voted for President Trump because they were hoping we could invade Greenland,” said Rep. Adam Smith, Washington Democrat. 

Both nations became early flashpoints for Mr. Trump’s second-term foreign policy, focusing on countering Beijing’s influence through hard military power. 

Mr. Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio asserted earlier this year that China effectively controlled the Panama Canal and demanded that the Panamanian government crack down on Beijing’s control over two ports at the ends of the canal. Mr. Trump accused Panama of violating the terms of the Panama Canal Treaty, which gave the country total control over the canal. 

Additionally, Mr. Trump has insisted that Denmark surrender control of Greenland to the U.S. over global security concerns. Greenlanders have overwhelmingly rejected the prospect of U.S. control, with an anti-Trump political party winning a majority during the March elections. 

Still, Denmark has maintained a strained relationship with U.S. military leaders and its parliament approved legislation last week that would expand U.S. military bases on Danish soil.

• Vaughn Cockayne can be reached at vcockayne@washingtontimes.com.