Commander Fired After Anti-Vance Email Sparks Outrage
A top Space Force commander stationed in Greenland has been fired after sending a mass email criticizing Senator JD Vance, a leading figure in the America First movement and popular member of the Trump administration. The dismissal marks a rare and swift disciplinary action within the U.S. military for political bias shown against a sitting U.S. Senator.
Colonel Susannah Meyers, who served as the Space Base Delta 1 commander at Pituffik Space Base, was removed from her position after launching a widely circulated email that appeared to mock and undermine Senator Vance shortly after his official visit to the Arctic installation. The message, described as “inappropriate” and “highly partisan,” broke long-standing military protocols prohibiting overt political commentary from military personnel in leadership roles.
The email, sent through official channels, criticized Vance’s positions and made disparaging remarks about his visit, despite the senator’s role on the Senate Armed Services Committee. The message reportedly warned service members to be cautious about the political tone of visiting officials, effectively treating a sitting U.S. Senator as a partisan threat rather than a government overseer.
The Pentagon confirmed that Meyers was removed from her command post “due to a loss of confidence in her ability to lead.” The decision was made by Lt. Gen. Stephen Whiting, head of the U.S. Space Command, shortly after an internal investigation was launched into the email’s distribution and content.
Conservative observers have pointed out the glaring double standard when it comes to political expression within the ranks. While progressive ideology has been quietly promoted in military trainings and personnel policies, open criticism of conservatives like Vance is increasingly being exposed—and swiftly punished under growing scrutiny from Republican leaders.
Vance visited the Greenland base earlier this year to assess strategic military operations and readiness in the Arctic region. The senator’s visit was part of a broader oversight mission involving multiple members of Congress, yet Meyers’ email singled him out for criticism.
The full contents of the email have not been publicly released, but several military outlets confirmed the message described Vance’s policies as “problematic” and urged personnel to remain “on guard” during his presence. Critics of Meyers say this goes beyond simple commentary and amounts to a politically charged message that could have undermined military cohesion and trust in civilian oversight.
Republican voters and supporters of Vance have expressed outrage, viewing the incident as yet another example of politically motivated hostility toward conservative officials. “This is why we need to clean house,” one GOP strategist commented. “Colonel Meyers didn’t just step out of line—she revealed how deep the ideological rot runs in parts of our military leadership.”
Last week, Trump fired Air Force Gen. Tim Haugh, the director of the National Security Agency who also oversaw Cyber Command.
Vice Adm. Shoshana Chatfield, who served with NATO, was fired this week in what appeared to be part of that purge. Officials in Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s office on Monday did not immediately confirm the move or offer a statement on why Chatfield was relieved or by whom.
Other high-profile military leaders who have been fired since Trump took office — without any public reason given — including Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Charles “CQ” Brown, the Navy‘s top leader Adm. Lisa Franchetti, and Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. James Slife.
Meyers’ removal is being welcomed by conservatives who have grown weary of what they see as leftist bias infecting the armed forces. Under the Biden administration, the military has faced criticism for promoting divisive diversity initiatives while morale and readiness have reportedly declined.
“The military must remain neutral and focused on defending the country, not policing political opinions,” said a former Trump Pentagon advisor. “You cannot have commanders using their positions to send anti-conservative propaganda to the ranks. It erodes trust and damages the chain of command.”
Although Meyers has not made a public statement, her defenders claim she was expressing concern for troops in a politically sensitive environment. However, Pentagon leadership disagreed, stating her comments went beyond professional conduct and undermined the apolitical nature of military service.
This episode serves as a reminder that even in remote installations like Greenland, political tensions from Washington are now impacting operations and leadership. With Trump loyalists increasingly gaining ground ahead of the 2024 election rematch, many within the military establishment are being put on notice—especially those who have allowed personal politics to interfere with their duties.
It also raises questions about whether other military leaders who have expressed ideological leanings will face similar consequences or whether discipline will only be applied when conservatives are the targets. The public reaction from conservative media and lawmakers suggests this is no isolated incident, but part of a broader cultural clash playing out within the Defense Department.
With Vance’s national profile on the rise, especially as speculation grows about his potential role in a second Trump administration, the treatment he received by a high-ranking officer could serve as a turning point in how political bias within the military is handled.
Meyers has been temporarily reassigned while formal proceedings continue. The Pentagon has not indicated whether further disciplinary measures will be taken, but leadership insists the decision was made to preserve the military’s nonpartisan standards.
As one Republican senator put it, “If this had been an email attacking AOC or Elizabeth Warren, the outrage from the media would have been deafening. But since it was JD Vance, they treat it like a footnote. We’re done playing that game.”
