Pentagon fires US base commander in Greenland for 'undermining' VP JD Vance
The United States military has dismissed the commander of its Pituffik Space Base in Greenland following a reported internal email distancing the installation from remarks made by Vice President JD Vance during a recent visit.
Colonel Susannah Meyers, who led the 821st Space Base Group at Pituffik, was removed due to a "loss of confidence in her ability to lead," according to a statement posted on X by Sean Parnell, chief Pentagon spokesperson.
The post included a link to a report by Military.com, which first disclosed the contents of the alleged email.
Actions to undermine the chain of command or to subvert President Trump's agenda will not be tolerated at the Department of Defense.
⬇️⬇️ https://t.co/ITFeGw0kUf pic.twitter.com/MO68aje1X2According to the outlet, Meyers emailed staff on March 31 asserting that Vance’s statements about Denmark’s handling of Greenland did not represent the leadership at Pituffik.
The email, reportedly confirmed by the US Space Force but not obtained by Newsweek, stated: "The concerns of the US administration discussed by Vice President Vance on Friday are not reflective of Pituffik Space Base."
Vice President Vance, accompanied by second lady Usha Vance, visited the base on 28 March.
In a press conference during the visit, Vance criticised Denmark for what he described as underinvestment in Greenland’s security and welfare. “You have not done a good job by the people of Greenland,” he said. “You have underinvested in the security of this incredible, beautiful landmass.”
Greenland, an autonomous region of Denmark, has drawn renewed attention from Washington during Donald Trump’s second term in office, particularly in light of the administration's stated interest in asserting control over the territory. President Trump has not ruled out the use of military force to achieve that aim.
Following Vance’s comments, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen publicly criticised the tone of the remarks. “This is not how you speak to your close allies,” Rasmussen said in a video address.
Meyers’ dismissal prompted further comment from the Department of Defense. “Commanders are expected to adhere to the highest standards of conduct, especially as it relates to remaining nonpartisan in the performance of their duties,” a spokesperson told the Daily Mail.
Parnell added in his post that “actions to undermine the chain of command or to subvert President Trump’s agenda will not be tolerated at the Department of Defense.”
Colonel Shawn Lee has been appointed as Meyers’ replacement, according to a press release from the US Space Force.
The future of US involvement in Greenland remains uncertain. A January opinion poll indicated that 85 percent of Greenlanders oppose American annexation.