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By Kate Plummer
Senior US News Reporter
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The U.S. military has announced that it has removed the commander of its Pituffik base in Greenland.
The removal of Col. Susannah Meyers from her post was announced in a statement by posted on X by Sean Parnell, the chief spokesman for the Pentagon.
The statement said there had been a "loss of confidence in her ability to lead."
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The post included a link to an article by Military.com, a news organization, which stated that Colonel Meyers, the commander of the 821st Space Base Group, had sent an email to staff at the base distancing herself from Vice President JD Vance's visit to Greenland on March 28 and his criticism of Denmark.
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Why It Matters
Greenland has assumed new geopolitical significance since Donald Trump embarked on his second presidency. The President has expressed interest in taking control of the self-governing region of Denmark, for security and resources and has not ruled out using military force to do so.
In March, Vance and his wife Usha Vance visited the Pituffik, the U.S.'s only military base in Greenland where the VP sparked backlash for critizing Denmark of having not "done a good job at keeping Greenland safe" in a press conference.
Vance said: "Our message to Denmark is very simple: 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 of this incredible, beautiful landmass."
What To Know
According to excerpts published by Military.com, which Newsweek is unable to immediately verify, on March 31 Colonel Meyers emailed the staff at Pituffik saying Vance's concerns did not reflect the views of the base leadership.
"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," the email, which Military.com said was confirmed as accurate by the Space Force said. Newsweek has not obtained a copy of the email for review.
What People Are Saying
"Commanders are expected to adhere to the highest standards of conduct, especially as it relates to remaining nonpartisan in the performance of their duties," a spokesperson told the Daily Mail.
"Actions to undermine the chain of command or to subvert President Trump's agenda will not be tolerated at the Department of Defense," Sean Parnell, Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs & Chief Pentagon Spokesman, wrote on X.
A Space Force press release confirmed Colonel Shawn Lee has replaced Meyers.
The Danish Foreign Minster Lars Løkke Rasmussen had criticized Vance's remarks, saying in a video address "we do not appreciate the tone" of his critiques. "This is not how you speak to your close allies," he said.
What Happens Next
The extent to which Trump pursues Greenland remains to be seen. Meanwhile, a poll in January found that 85 percent of Greenlanders oppose U.S. annexation.
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