The U.S. Army has suspended the commander of Fort McCoy in Wisconsin following the omission of President Donald Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth from the base’s official chain-of-command wall.
Colonel Sheyla Baez Ramirez, who had been serving as the garrison commander at Fort McCoy since July 2024, was relieved of duty amid a review.
The U.S. Army Reserve Command confirmed the suspension in a public statement, saying, “This suspension is not related to any misconduct. We have no further details to provide at this time while this matter is under review.”
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The controversy centers around a prominent wall at Fort McCoy that displays framed portraits of the nation’s military leadership as part of the traditional chain of command.
In recent days, photos of President Trump, Vice President Vance, and Defense Secretary Hegseth were found to be missing from that display, prompting internal scrutiny and swift action by the Department of Defense.
On Sunday, Secretary Hegseth reposted an X post highlighting the omission, stating: “Commander of Fort McCoy, whose base chain-of-command board was missing photos of Trump, Vance and Hegseth, has been SUSPENDED.”
🚨🚨🚨Commander of Fort McCoy, whose base chain-of-command board was missing photos of Trump, Vance and Hegseth, has been SUSPENDED.
Colonel Sheyla Baez Ramirez suspended as garrison commander at Fort McCoy https://t.co/1N4fccrH1h via @news8news
— Kristina Wong 🇺🇸 (@kristina_wong) April 19, 2025
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The Department of Defense acknowledged the issue and announced a formal investigation.
Its rapid response account posted an update on X alongside a new image of the updated display, saying, “Regarding the Ft. McCoy Chain of Command wall controversy…. WE FIXED IT! Also, an investigation has begun to figure out exactly what happened.”
Regarding the Ft. McCoy Chain of Command wall controversy….
WE FIXED IT!
Also, an investigation has begun to figure out exactly what happened. pic.twitter.com/y0gcRtBQZq
— DOD Rapid Response (@DODResponse) April 14, 2025
Prior to her post at Fort McCoy, Col. Baez Ramirez held several roles within the Army and Army Reserves, including as Chief of the Reserve Program for the U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command at Fort Belvoir in Virginia.
The incident at Fort McCoy is the latest in a series of high-level military leadership changes in recent weeks.
Earlier this month, the Pentagon removed Colonel Susannah Meyers from her position as base commander of Pituffik Space Force Base in Greenland.
That decision followed internal backlash over comments Meyers made in the aftermath of a visit by Vice President Vance.
In a March 31 email to base personnel, Meyers appeared to distance herself and the installation from the vice president’s policy remarks.
“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,” she wrote.
“I have spent the weekend thinking about Friday’s visit — the actions taken, the words spoken, and how it must have affected each of you.”
In its statement, the Space Force cited a “loss of confidence in her ability to lead” as the reason for her removal.
“Commanders are expected to adhere to the highest standards of conduct, especially as it relates to remaining nonpartisan in the performance of their duties,” the statement read.
Additionally, last week Secretary Hegseth dismissed four aides following an internal dispute involving leaked communications and reported infighting.
The conflict centered around a private Signal chat involving discussions of Houthi-linked threats and reportedly included members of Hegseth’s family and legal team.
Hegseth attributed the leak to “disgruntled employees.”
🚨 Secretary Pete Hegseth just spent 90 seconds absolutely FILLETING the fake news media
“What a big surprise! A few leakers get fired and a few hit pieces come out from the same media that peddled the Russia hoax!”
“This is what the media does. They take anonymous sources from… pic.twitter.com/6TJRQEDyna
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) April 21, 2025
The Department of Defense has not yet released the findings of the Fort McCoy investigation.
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