US Base Commander Fired After Clashing with Trump Administration Over Greenland Policy
Key Developments:
- Dismissal of Colonel Susannah Meyers
- Colonel Susannah Meyers, commander of the Pituffik Space Base in Greenland, was removed from command after distancing herself from US Vice President J.D. Vance’s criticism of Denmark’s governance of Greenland.
- The US Space Force stated that commanders must remain “non-partisan”, suggesting Meyers violated this principle.
- Meyers had sent an internal email (leaked to Military.com) asserting that Vance’s remarks did not reflect the base’s stance, emphasizing unity among US, Danish, Canadian, and Greenlandic personnel.
- Vance’s Controversial Remarks in Greenland
- During a March 28 visit, Vance accused Denmark of “under-investing” in Greenland’s people and security, calling for stronger US influence.
- His comments were seen as provocative by both Denmark and Greenland, with Danish FM Lars Løkke Rasmussen criticizing the “tone” of the US approach.
- Greenland & Denmark Push Back
- Greenland’s PM Jens-Frederik Nielsen declared: “The United States will not get Greenland. We decide our own future.”
- Danish PM Mette Frederiksen reiterated that “you cannot annex another country”, emphasizing Greenland’s right to self-determination.
- Polls show most of Greenland’s **57,000 residents
