In a surprising move, the commander of the US military base in Greenland, Colonel Susannah Meyers, has been dismissed from her position following an email that distanced herself from comments made by Vice-President JD Vance regarding Denmark's security role in the region. The Space Operations Command of the US military announced that Meyers was removed from her duties at Pituffik Space Base based on a "loss of confidence in her ability to lead."
Vice-President Vance had recently criticized Denmark, of which Greenland is a territory, for not investing sufficiently in security matters during a visit to the Arctic island. In response to Vance’s remarks, Meyers reportedly sent an email stating that his comments were "not reflective" of the sentiments at the base. She also indicated her reluctance to engage in political discussions, emphasizing that the concerns expressed by Vance did not represent her base's opinion.
Confirming the reasons for her dismissal, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell pointed to the necessity for the military to uphold a nonpartisan stance. He stated on social media that undermining the chain of command or subverting the administration's agenda would not be tolerated within the Department of Defense.
Col. Shawn Lee has been appointed to take over from Meyers. This incident emerges amid ongoing discussions within both Denmark and Greenland regarding their autonomy and governance, particularly in light of Vance’s suggestions for increased US military presence and even annexation of Greenland—proposals that have sparked a strong backlash from both Greenlandic and Danish officials.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, during a recent visit, asserted Denmark's commitment to defending its territory and directly rejected any notions of annexation by the US. She reiterated Denmark's intention to fortify its military capabilities in the Arctic and encouraged closer collaboration with the US in securing the region.
Polls indicate a significant desire among Greenlanders for greater independence from Denmark, yet there remains a collective aversion to becoming part of the United States. Since 2009, Greenland has had the right to call for an independence referendum, and the issue has gained traction among political factions advocating for more assertive moves toward separation from Denmark.
