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The Pentagon has removed the commander of its Arctic base in Greenland after she sent an internal email appearing to push back on comments made by Vice President JD Vance.
Some shit you should know before you read: If you’re unaware, Col. Susannah Meyers, then-commander of Pituffik Multinational Space Base in Greenland, sent an internal email on March 31 to base personnel just days after Vice President JD Vance’s visit. In the message, she told the staff, “I do not presume to understand current politics, but what I do know is the concerns of the US administration discussed by Vice President Vance on Friday are not reflective of Pituffik Space Base.” She added, “I spent the weekend thinking about Friday’s visit — the actions taken, the words spoken, and how it must have affected each of you. I commit that, for as long as I am lucky enough to lead this base, all of our flags will fly proudly — together.”
What’s going on now: In an announcement, the Pentagon confirmed that Col. Susannah Meyers was relieved of her command at Pituffik Space Base on April 10, citing a “loss of confidence in her ability to lead.” The official statement said that “commanders are expected to adhere to the highest standards of conduct, especially as it relates to remaining nonpartisan in the performance of their duties.”
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell echoed this sentiment on social media, stating, “Actions to undermine the chain of command or to subvert President Trump’s agenda will not be tolerated at the Department of Defense.”
This came after Vice President JD Vance’s remarks during his visit to the base on March 28. While speaking, Vance criticized Denmark’s role in governing Greenland, stating, “You have not done a good job by the people of Greenland. You have underinvested in the people of Greenland, and you have underinvested in the security architecture of this incredible, beautiful landmass filled with incredible people. That has to change.”
He also suggested that the US would engage in talks with Greenlanders directly if they moved toward independence, saying, “What we think is going to happen is that the Greenlanders are going to choose, through self-determination, to become independent of Denmark, and then we’re going to have conversations with the people of Greenland from there.”
