Pentagon fires Greenland military chief over criticism of JD Vance

by · Mail Online

The commander of the US military base in Greenland has been sacked after she reportedly sent an email distancing herself from Vice President JD Vance's visit to the Arctic territory.  

Colonel Susannah Meyers was removed from her duties at Pituffik Space Base, a Pentagon spokesperson said Thursday night, explaining that her 'actions to undermine the chain of command or to subvert President Trump's agenda will not be tolerated'.

While the exact reasons for her dismissal were not disclosed, news organisation Military.com reported that Meyers had sent an email to base personnel on March 31, in which she said she had spent the weekend reflecting on how Vance's recent remarks might have affected those stationed at the base.

'I do not presume to understand current politics, but what I do know is the concerns of the U.S. administration discussed by Vice President Vance on Friday are not reflective of Pituffik Space Base,' Meyers wrote in the alleged email released by the news site. 

'I commit that, for as long as I am lucky enough to lead this base, all of our flags will fly proudly - together,' the message added. 

The email, which was reportedly confirmed as accurate by the Space Force, was sent to all base personnel, including those from Denmark and Greenland.  

Meyers commanded 821st Space Base Group and also oversaw the Pentagon's northernmost military base. 

Her remarks marked a rare pushback within the ranks of the Trump administration.  

The Pentagon has fired its Greenland base commander, Col. Susannah Meyers, after she criticised VP JD Vance's visit to the Arctic territory. Pictured: US Vice President JD Vance (2R) and Second Lady Usha Vance (2L) listen to Col. Susan Meyers (L), commander of the US military's Pituffik Space Base, as they tour base in Greenland on March 28, 2025
Col. Susannah Meyers, commander of the US military's Pituffik Space Base, was removed from command on April 10, 2025
It came as President Donald Trump repeated his desire to acquire the Danish territory for the United States

Last month, Vance used a trip to Greenland criticise Denmark, in which he pushed for the Arctic island to become independent. 

It came as President Donald Trump repeated his desire to acquire the Danish territory for the United States.

The vice president travelled to Greenland on March 28 to send a message to Denmark and the world about the political changes the Trump administration wants to see in the territory.

'What we think is going to happen is that Greenlanders are going to choose through self-determination to become independent of Denmark, and then we will have conversations with the people of Denmark from there,' he said.

He said the United States was no longer willing to 'pick up the tab' for Europe to keep the region safe. 

'If the people of Greenland are willing to partner with United States, and I think they ultimately will, we could make them much more secure. We could do a lot more protection, and I think they would fare a lot better economically as well,' he said.

Danish leaders have repeatedly condemned Trump and the United States for expressing interest in Greenland. 

Following Vance's visit, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said: 'We are open to criticisms, but let me be completely honest, we do not appreciate the tone in which it's being delivered.'

Meyers reportedly sent an email to base personnel following Vance's email, in which she stated his comments were 'not reflective' of the base 
The Pituffik Space Base (formerly Thule Air Base) is pictured in northern Greenland, on October 4, 2023
Danish leaders have repeatedly condemned Trump and the United States for expressing interest in Greenland
Meyers was the commander of the 821st Space Base Group and also oversaw the Pentagon's northernmost military base
US Vice President JD Vance tours the US military's Pituffik Space Base in Greenland on March 28
Vance ravelled to Greenland on March 28 to send a message to Denmark about the political changes the Trump administration wants to see in the territory
Vice President JD Vance, left, receives a brief from U.S. Space Force Col. Susan Meyers, 821st Space Base Group commander, about the mission and importance of the various units at Pituffik Space Base, Greenland

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'The US should take over Greenland': JD Vance says population would choose independence from Denmark

Greenland's newly-elected prime minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, has also said that the the autonomous territory is not for sale, and said Trump was 'a threat to our political independence'. 

But Vance had sharp criticism for Denmark for their failures to secure the region.

'This has to happen, and the reason, I hate to say it, is because our friends in Denmark have not done their job in keeping this area safe,' he said.

'Denmark has not kept pace in devoting the resources necessary to keep this base, to keep our troops, and in my view, to keep the people of Greenland safe,' he added.

During his visit, Vance was asked about the president's desire to acquire Greenland. 

'Well, the president said we have to have Greenland, and I think that we do have to be more serious about the security of Greenland,' he said.

'We cannot just ignore this place, we can't just ignore the president's desires, but most importantly, we can't ignore what I said earlier, which is the Russian and Chinese encouragement in Greenland.'

'Our message is very simple,' he continued. 'Yes the people of Greenland are going to have self determination, we hope they choose to partner with the United States because we're the only nation on earth that will respect their sovereignty and security.'