President Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order reinstating over 8,000 service members who were discharged for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine during the Biden administration.
“The Executive Order directs the Secretary of Defense to reinstate all members of the military (active and reserve) who were discharged for refusing the COVID vaccine and who request to be reinstated,” stated the White House in a fact sheet obtained by Fox News.
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This move fulfills a 2024 campaign promise to return these members to their previous ranks with back pay and benefits. President Trump doubled down on this promise once more during his inaugural address last week.
“From 2021 to 2023, the Biden Administration and former Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin discharged over 8,000 troops solely due to their COVID-19 vaccination status,” the fact sheet adds. “After the vaccine mandate was repealed in 2023, only 43 of the more than the 8,000 troops dismissed elected to return to service under the Biden Administration and Secretary Austin.”
The order, confirmed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, also emphasizes an apology to affected troops.
“In spite of the scientific evidence, the Biden Administration discharged healthy service members—many of whom had natural immunity and dedicated their entire lives to serving our country—for refusing the COVID vaccine,” the fact sheet reads. “Government redress of these wrongful dismissals is overdue.”
The Biden administration’s vaccine mandate, which led to these discharges, was ended with the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act, following pressure from Republicans.
This development is part of Trump’s broader set of executive actions, including changes to military diversity, equity, and inclusion policies.
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