
Trump Plans To Reinstate Over 8,000 Troops Dismissed For Refusing COVID Vaccines
Thousands Of American Troops Were Previously Dismissed For Refusing To Get Vaccinated For COVID-19
One week after his inauguration, President Donald Trump plans to sign an executive order that would reinstate thousands of American troops who were dismissed for refusing to get COVID-19 vaccines.
The Hill reports that from August 2021 to January 2023, over 8,000 troops were discharged “over their refusal to get a mandated COVID-19 shot, with limited exceptions for medical issues or religious objections.”
The mandate was rescinded in 2023. The Pentagon then allowed the dismissed service members to reapply, but federal statistics indicate only 43 individuals did so.
Trump referenced the reinstatement of these dismissed troops in his inaugural speech last week. He said, “Our armed forces will be free to focus on their sole mission, defeating America’s enemies.”
This is something new Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized during his confirmation hearing. He said the dismissed troops “will be apologized to. They will be reinstated, reinstituted with pay and rank.”
As USA TODAY reports, Hegseth also confirmed that Trump’s executive orders “were coming” as he spoke to reporters upon his arrival at the Pentagon to begin his first day of work.
Within the past week, Trump has also signed executive orders ordering the declassification of files related to the JFK, RFK, and MLK assassinations. He also flew to California, where he had a heated exchange with Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass during a briefing on the city’s wildfires.
Tune in to the report below to learn more about the executive order that Trump is expected to sign which will reinstate the previously dismissed troops.