Greenland hospital ship offer came from a local bricklayer

President Trump said a hospital ship was "on the way" to Greenland after Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry said a Greenlandic bricklayer raised healthcare concerns; Pentagon officials say no orders have been given to deploy the Navy's hospital ships.

President Trump announced a hospital ship was "on the way" to Greenland, a statement that surprised officials in the self-governing Danish territory. Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry says he raised the idea after meeting Jørgen Boassen, a Greenlandic bricklayer who spoke about healthcare problems. Pentagon officials say they have not received orders to deploy the U.S. Navy's two hospital ships, which are currently in maintenance. Greenlandic and Danish authorities have said they do not want or need a U.S. hospital ship. Key facts: - President Trump posted that a hospital ship was "on the way" to Greenland. - Gov. Jeff Landry says the proposal followed conversations with Jørgen Boassen, a Greenlandic bricklayer who raised concerns about local healthcare. - Pentagon officials report no orders have been issued to deploy the U.S. Navy's two hospital ships, which are undergoing maintenance. - Greenlandic and Danish government officials have stated the island does not need a U.S. hospital ship and expressed concern about the announcement. Summary: The announcement brought renewed attention to Greenlanders' concerns about outside involvement and to persistent gaps in access to specialist care across the territory. Operationally, the Pentagon says no deployment orders have been given while Gov. Landry has said a ship could sail after maintenance is finished, with timing otherwise undetermined.