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President Trump signed an executive order Monday night, reinstating military members who were discharged for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine. The order entitles them to receive “full back pay, benefits, bonus payments, or compensation.”
The executive order, titled “Reinstating Service Members Discharged Under the Military’s COVID-19 Vaccination Mandate,” also allows those who voluntarily resigned due to the mandate to return to the military “with no impact on their service status, rank, or pay.” Approximately 8,000 troops were discharged under the Biden administration’s vaccine mandate. Many of those impacted sued the government, facing significant backlash.
This move fulfills another campaign promise by President Trump. Speaking in Miami, Florida, he announced his intention to sign the order, along with other initiatives focused on strengthening the U.S. military.
President Trump also signed an executive order to develop a missile defense system modeled after Israel’s renowned Iron Dome. This initiative seeks to create a “state-of-the-art Iron Dome missile defense shield” for the United States, aiming to protect against aerial threats.
Text of the Executive Order
The full text outlines the reinstatement of service members, the process for reinstatement, and provisions to address related administrative procedures. Key excerpts include:
• Reinstatement Process: All service members discharged solely for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine may request reinstatement and be restored to their previous rank, status, and pay.
• Return for Resigned Personnel: Service members who resigned under the mandate can return to service without any negative impacts on their rank or career standing.
• Implementation Timeline: Within 60 days, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Homeland Security are required to report on the implementation of this order.
President Trump’s actions reaffirm his commitment to addressing past policies he deemed unjust, particularly those that he believes undermined military readiness and fairness.
For further details, read the full executive order here.
