President Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order aimed at reinstating service members who were discharged from the military for refusing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The White House has confirmed that the Executive Order will direct the Secretary of Defense to reinstate all members of the military, both active and reserve, who were previously discharged for declining the vaccine and who request to be reinstated.
According to a fact sheet released by the White House, reinstated service members will be restored to their prior rank and will receive back pay and benefits. The fact sheet also highlights that between 2021 and 2023, over 8,000 troops were discharged by the Biden Administration and former Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin due to their vaccination status. Following the repeal of the vaccine mandate in 2023, only 43 of the more than 8,000 dismissed troops opted to return to service under the Biden Administration and Secretary Austin.
President Trump had previously pledged to take this action during his inauguration speech, stating that he would reinstate any service members who were unfairly expelled from the military for objecting to the vaccine mandate, with full back pay. This commitment was reiterated during a campaign speech last year, where Trump promised to rehire dismissed service members and ensure they receive back pay along with an apology from the government.
Since assuming office, the newly inaugurated president has been actively signing a series of executive orders. The upcoming executive order to reinstate discharged service members is in line with Trump's campaign promises and commitment to addressing issues related to the COVID-19 vaccine mandate within the military.
As Trump completes his first full week back in office following his inauguration, the executive order is expected to be signed on Monday afternoon, marking another significant policy decision early in his presidency.
