Space Force Fires Greenland Base Commander Who Slammed Vance’s Remarks
The U.S. Space Force has removed Colonel Susannah Meyers from her post as commander of Pituffik Space Base in Greenland after she publicly contradicted Vice President JD Vance in an internal message to military personnel. The move sends a clear signal that political posturing and insubordination from within the military ranks will not be tolerated under the current administration.
The incident stems from Vice President Vance’s March 28 visit to Pituffik, during which he delivered a direct and unapologetic assessment of Denmark’s management of Greenland. Vance highlighted what he described as years of underinvestment in both the region’s infrastructure and its people—warning that such neglect could leave the door open to foreign influence from China and Russia.
“Greenland is too important to be ignored,” Vance said during his speech. “The United States must take the lead in securing the Arctic, and we cannot do that by deferring to governments that have neglected their responsibilities.”
Following the Vice President’s remarks, Colonel Meyers issued an internal message to base personnel distancing herself and her command from Vance’s comments. In her email, dated March 31, Meyers wrote, “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.”
Her comments raised alarm within the Department of Defense, not only for their substance but for their breach of the military’s long-held tradition of neutrality and chain-of-command integrity. On April 10, Colonel Kenneth Klock, commander of Space Base Delta 1, formally removed Meyers from her post, citing a “loss of confidence in her ability to lead.”
The Space Force later issued a statement making it clear that commanders are expected to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and refrain from actions that could be seen as undermining national policy or elected leadership.
Defense officials described Meyers’ conduct as “inappropriate” and “damaging to the discipline expected of senior military leadership.” One official added, “This wasn’t about free speech. It was about a senior officer publicly rebuking the Vice President of the United States—on military infrastructure, no less.”
Support for the decision came quickly from conservative lawmakers. Senator Eric Schmitt called it “the right call,” adding that “our military must remain focused on mission, not on virtue-signaling or internal politics.” Others warned that allowing such behavior to go unchecked would set a dangerous precedent in which unelected officers feel empowered to challenge civilian leadership in the name of personal opinion.
Vice President Vance, who has remained focused on strengthening America’s presence in the Arctic, has not publicly commented on Meyers’ dismissal. However, sources close to the White House confirmed that the administration supports the decision and views it as part of a broader effort to restore discipline and professionalism across the armed forces.
This incident highlights the growing divide between politicized military leadership left over from prior administrations and the America First leadership now in charge. Under President Trump and Vice President Vance, there’s no confusion about the chain of command—and no tolerance for dissent from within.