Why was US Space Force commander fired over Email about Greenland?
Washington: The commander of the US Space Force base in Greenland, Col. Susan Meyers, has been dismissed from her role after sending a base-wide email that contradicted official US messaging following Vice President JD Vance’s recent visit to the Danish territory, which President Donald Trump is seeking to annex.
In a statement issued late on Thursday, the Space Force confirmed that Meyers was removed from her position at Pituffik Space Base due to a “loss of confidence in her ability to lead.”
Expected to remain nonpartisan
“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 statement said.
According to a report by Military.com, Meyers had emailed all personnel at the base defending its long-standing relationship with Denmark and Greenland, shortly after Vice President Vance’s visit two weeks earlier.
A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that Meyers had sent the email and that its contents expressed support for both Greenland and Denmark.
Tensions rise over Trump’s Greenland ambitions
Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, is a NATO ally of the United States. President Trump has voiced a desire to annex Greenland, citing national security concerns. Vice President Vance’s visit in late March sparked tensions between Washington and Copenhagen, with Trump refusing to rule out military action.
On Thursday night, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell posted a link to the Military.com story on social media platform X, adding: “Actions to undermine the chain of command or to subvert President Trump’s agenda will not be tolerated at the Department of Defense.”
Series of senior dismissals
Meyers’ removal follows a series of high-profile dismissals of senior military officials, including several women. Those previously removed include Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti, US Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Linda Fagan, and Vice Adm. Shoshana Chatfield, who had been the only woman on NATO’s military committee.
Other senior firings include Gen. CQ Brown Jr., Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Gen. Tim Haugh, head of US Cyber Command and Director of the National Security Agency
AP