Greenland Base Chief Fired After Vance Visit Fallout/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Col. Susan Meyers, commander of Pituffik Space Base in Greenland, was fired for sending an email opposing President Trump’s annexation efforts. The message supported Greenland’s ties to Denmark and clashed with Vice President JD Vance’s recent visit. Her removal adds to a growing list of top military leaders dismissed under the Trump administration.
Greenland Commander Firing: Quick Looks
- Col. Susan Meyers, commander of Pituffik Space Base, was relieved of duty.
- Meyers sent a base-wide email supporting Denmark-Greenland ties after Vice President JD Vance’s visit.
- The Space Force cited a “loss of confidence” and breach of nonpartisan conduct standards.
- The incident follows Trump’s push to annex Greenland, citing national security.
- The email contradicted official messaging, prompting swift Pentagon action.
- The Pentagon warned undermining Trump’s policies “won’t be tolerated.”
- Meyers’ firing is part of a pattern of removing senior military leaders, several of whom are women.
- Trump has fired Adm. Lisa Franchetti, Adm. Linda Fagan, and Gen. CQ Brown Jr., among others.
- The White House has not ruled out military force to claim Greenland.
- Greenland remains a Danish territory and Denmark is a key NATO ally.
Greenland Base Chief Fired After Vance Visit Fallout
Deep Look
WASHINGTON — The U.S. military has removed Col. Susan Meyers, the commander of Pituffik Space Base in Greenland, following an internal email that defended the base’s relationship with Denmark and Greenland, contradicting the Trump administration’s messaging during a sensitive geopolitical moment.
The dismissal came shortly after Vice President JD Vance’s controversial visit to Greenland in late March, which inflamed tensions between the United States and Denmark. During that visit, Vance emphasized President Donald Trump’s renewed push to annex Greenland, reviving a 2019 proposal that drew global criticism.
According to the Space Force, Meyers was relieved due to a “loss of confidence in her ability to lead,” citing the importance of maintaining nonpartisan conduct among senior military officials.
“Commanders are expected to adhere to the highest standards of conduct, especially as it relates to remaining nonpartisan in the performance of their duties,” the Space Force said in a statement Thursday night.
The Email That Sparked It All
Military.com first reported that Meyers emailed the entire base, voicing strong support for Greenland’s sovereignty under Danish rule and praising the base’s collaborative history with both nations.
A U.S. official confirmed to the Associated Press that the email’s contents were accurate, but requested anonymity to discuss internal matters. The email came just days after Vice President Vance’s visit and was seen by senior officials as undermining the White House’s foreign policy direction.
Trump’s Greenland Ambitions
Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, holds increasing strategic value due to its Arctic location and natural resources. Trump has framed its annexation as essential to U.S. national security, although Danish leaders have repeatedly rejected the idea.
Vice President Vance’s trip to Greenland reignited the controversy, especially when Trump refused to rule out military force as a tool for annexation. The comments triggered a diplomatic response from Copenhagen and a flurry of international concern.
Pentagon Cracks Down
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell backed the firing and warned against insubordination:
“Actions to undermine the chain of command or to subvert President Trump’s agenda will not be tolerated at the Department of Defense.”
The message from the Pentagon underscores a broader clampdown on internal dissent within the military and federal agencies as Trump’s second term continues.
A Pattern of Military Firings
Meyers’ dismissal is the latest in a string of high-profile terminations involving senior military leaders. Among those removed recently:
- Adm. Lisa Franchetti, Chief of Naval Operations
- Adm. Linda Fagan, U.S. Coast Guard Commandant
- Vice Adm. Shoshana Chatfield, NATO’s sole female committee representative
- Gen. CQ Brown Jr., former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs
- Gen. Tim Haugh, head of U.S. Cyber Command and the NSA
Critics say these removals reflect a purge of military figures perceived as not fully aligned with Trump’s defense and geopolitical strategies.
Greenland’s Strategic Value
Pituffik Space Base, located in the Arctic Circle, is critical to U.S. missile detection and satellite tracking capabilities. Its proximity to Russia and the North Pole makes it a key asset in the military’s global surveillance network.
Despite the friction, Denmark remains a foundational NATO ally, and the United States has long cooperated with it on Arctic operations. Meyers’ email echoed that sentiment, which appears to have run afoul of current White House priorities.
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