President Trump is expected to sign an executive order on Monday to bring back thousands of U.S. service members who were discharged for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine, according to a White House official.
At 78 years old, Trump is following through on a promise from his 2024 campaign by reinstating more than 8,000 military members. They will return to their previous ranks and receive back pay and full benefits.
This order will apply to active-duty and reserve service members who were removed for not getting the COVID vaccine, which was mandated by the Biden administration between 2021 and 2023.
Out of the approximately 8,000 service members who were discharged, only 43 have returned to their branches since the Biden administration ended the vaccine mandate, according to the White House.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also supported this pledge during his confirmation hearings earlier this month, stating that every discharged troop would receive an apology, back pay, and their lost rank.
