In a potentially decisive election year for Republicans, where midterm elections carry significant weight, President Donald Trump likely requires his party’s backing more than ever. This is particularly true given his affiliation with the Democratic Party following his actions that led to the apprehension of former President Nicolás Maduro and his wife.

However, a rift is emerging as several notable Republican legislators are openly challenging Trump over his revived threats to annex Greenland after the Venezuela intervention. In comments described as “utterly unacceptable,” Trump reiterated his position that Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory, should fall under U.S. control, calling it a matter of “national security.”

While talking about his ambitions last year, Trump notably expressed a desire to annex the region. This idea resurfaced this week when the White House issued a statement declaring that “using the U.S. military is always an option available to the commander-in-chief.”

Trump’s renewed preoccupation with Greenland—and his unwillingness to relent despite appeals from the territory’s leaders—has now drawn criticism from members of his own party.

“This is appalling. Greenland is a NATO ally. Denmark is one of our best friends… so the way we’re treating them is really demeaning and it has no upside,” Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska said to CNN on Tuesday. “We’re not going to acquire Greenland. I know most of those people in Greenland want to remain independent.”

Labeling the talk about Greenland as one of the “silliest things” from the White House in the past year, Bacon encouraged other Republicans to stand with him. “I hope other Republicans line up behind me and make it clear to the White House this is wrong,” he stated.

The following are some prominent Republicans who have publicly distanced themselves from Trump on this controversial issue:

Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska

Lisa Murkowski expressed her worry on Tuesday, stating that “any effort to claim or take the territory by force would degrade both our national security and our international relationships.”

Advocating for the preservation of the longstanding U.S.-Denmark alliance, Murkowski continued: “We must see it [Greenland] as an ally, not an asset, and focus on continued partnership rather than possession.”

Sen. John Thune of South Dakota

Senate Majority Leader John Thune released a bipartisan statement on Tuesday with Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire.

“When Denmark and Greenland make it clear that Greenland is not for sale, the United States must honor its treaty obligations,” the statement read, urging the U.S. to respect the NATO member’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. “Any suggestion that our nation would subject a fellow NATO ally to coercion or external pressure undermines the very principles of self-determination that our Alliance exists to defend.”

Thune and Shaheen also pointed to the persistent perceived threat from Russian and Chinese activity in the Arctic, which Trump has referenced.

“We cannot afford distractions or divisions within NATO,” the Senators asserted. “We must stay focused on the real threats before us and work with our allies, not against them, to advance our shared security.”

Thune also informed the press that he does not consider “military action being an option” regarding Greenland.

Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska

Rep. Bacon has made several statements opposing the Trump Administration’s stance on Greenland.

Bacon criticized White House deputy chief of staff for policy Stephen Miller on Monday after Miller said: “Greenland should be part of the US. By what right does Denmark assert control over Greenland? The U.S. is the power of NATO. Nobody is gonna fight the U.S. militarily over the future of Greenland.”

Bacon dismissed the comments as “dumb,” stressing that Greenland and Denmark deserve respect as “allies of the U.S.”

Reacting to a statement of support for Greenland issued by Denmark and other NATO nations including France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, and the United Kingdom, Bacon said it was unfortunate for the U.S. that such a declaration was necessary.

Rep. Blake Moore of Utah

Blake Moore co-chairs the bipartisan Congressional Friends of Denmark Caucus with Democratic Rep. Steny H. Hoyer of Maryland. They published a joint statement addressing Trump’s annexation ambitions.

“Sabre-rattling about annexing Greenland is needlessly dangerous. The Kingdom of Denmark is a NATO ally and one of America’s closest partners,” the statement said. “An attack on Greenland—a crucial part of that alliance—would tragically be an attack on NATO.”

The lawmakers warned that such an annexation could spark a NATO “civil war” and that Trump’s threats “needlessly undermine” U.S.-Denmark relations.

Sen. Jerry Moran of Kansas

Jerry Moran, who also serves on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, remarked that U.S. control over Greenland “is none of our business.”

“We’re not going to take over another country that’s our ally,” he stressed.

Rep. Mike Johnson of Louisiana

Although House Speaker Mike Johnson did not directly criticize Trump’s and the White House’s remarks on Greenland, he did voice opposition to potential military action against the territory.

“No, I don’t think that’s appropriate,” he responded when asked about possible U.S. intervention. He noted that Greenland was “viewed by some people” as a strategic location for the U.S. but did not specify how the Trump Administration might proceed.

Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky

Rand Paul, a prominent Trump critic, has indicated he is not opposed to the U.S. obtaining Greenland, but he disapproves of the current method.

“I’m not against approaching Greenland in a voluntary way… right now it’s been more in the wrong direction,” Paul told reporters. “You won’t get there by insulting them.”

Concerning Trump’s rhetoric, Paul said he was uncertain “how much is bravado, how much is bombast,” but affirmed that “militarily taking Greenland” is something he would “not support.”