The US military said it had lost confidence in Colonel Susannah Meyers' ability to lead.

The commander of the base wrote, “I do not presume to understand current politics, but what I do know is the concerns of the US administration discussed by Vice-President Vance on Friday are not reflective of Pituffik Space Base.” in an email and was thus dismissed. In dismissing her, the Pentagon stated this reason. “Actions [that] undermine the chain of command or to subvert President [Donald] Trump’s agenda will not be tolerated at the Department of Defense.”

  • JamesTBagg@lemmy.world
    201·
    2 days ago

    That’s not what chain of command means. It simply establishes the hierarchy. Commands can be given by anyone who outranks you, or holds a billet that comes with higher authority. Trump and Vance at the top of that chain and can issue legal orders to literally anyone in the US military.

    • Notyou@sopuli.xyz
      26·
      2 days ago

      Not that the rule of law matters, but the VP is not in the military chain of command. There is no vice commander-in-chief. It goes pres then his Chiefs of Staff/Generals.

      Of course they could just lean on the undermining trumps agenda of stripping Greenland of its resources, but that’s not why the base was there. Or I guess that is why it’s there now…idk.

      • JamesTBagg@lemmy.world
        51·
        2 days ago

        No, second in command is the Secretary of Defense. But if the Vice President is acting on behalf or under direction of the president it could be seen as a billet. Walking around bases every unit has pictures of their chains of command, all of them include the VP and have for a long time.

        • Dasus@lemmy.world
          41·
          2 days ago

          Makes sense since VP could have to assume role of president instantly if president dies or is removed from office or resigns. But if they are only disabled, then VP becomes acting president. Made me wonder whether acting president or the disabled president will be commander-in-chief then.

          I googled a bit and could’ve figured it out probably. But that’s a pretty niche question.

          I know this will bring in the downvotes but I think LLMs aren’t horrible for use like this.

          I asked it “if the president of the US was disabled then the vice president would become the acting president but not the actual president but would that mean that they would also be the acting Commander in Chief?”

          And got a decent reply with a low chance of any hallucinations, because of the nature of the facts and it showing it’s reasoning.

          Yes, if the Vice President becomes the Acting President due to the President’s disability, they also assume the powers and duties of the Commander in Chief. Here’s why:

          • Presidential Succession and the 25th Amendment:
            • The 25th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution addresses presidential succession and disability.
            • Section 3 and 4 of the 25th amendment specifically outline the processes for the vice president to become acting president in cases of presidential disability.
            • When the vice president becomes the acting president, they assume “the powers and duties of the office as Acting President.”
          • Commander in Chief is a Presidential Duty:
            • The role of Commander in Chief is a fundamental duty of the President of the United States, as outlined in the Constitution.
            • Therefore, when the vice president becomes acting president, that person gains all of the powers and duties of the president, including the commander in chief role.
    • whiskeytango@lemm.eeEnglish
      12·
      2 days ago

      They can issue orders. Not all are legal. But since they replaced the JAGs, this might be closer to reality.

      • JamesTBagg@lemmy.world
        12·
        2 days ago

        Hopefully they all remember their oaths of enlistment are to the Constitution first, THEN the president.

        • MisterOwl@lemmy.world
          41·
          2 days ago

          If they remembered, they would have rolled through the supreme court building the day they said we have kings again.

          Military ain’t gonna do shit.

    • peoplebeproblems@midwest.socialEnglish
      8·
      2 days ago

      The concept of chain of command also implies that higher rank alone does not entitle a higher-ranking service member to give commands to anyone of lower rank.