On Monday, President Donald Trump signed another major executive order that reinstated the U.S. soldiers who were forced out of the military for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine. The move would bring back thousands of troops who were expelled from the United States military under former President Joe Biden’s leadership.
The order could reinstate up to 8,000 service members who lost their roles due to the Biden-era vaccine mandate. According to reports, some may be eligible to regain their rank, receive back pay, and be compensated at the same level they were at when they were forced out. Trump also signed an order that would eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion, from the military.
Speaking to Fox News about the order, Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL) said, “This is a great day for them. Great day for Patriots. Great day for our service members, my brothers and sisters in arms, and let’s not forget you go back in time and this wasn’t just the military. It was other government agencies as well, where they were washing essentially, conservatives that were raising their hands saying, ‘Hey, I don’t want to take this vaccine.'”
He added, “They were washing them out of government, washing them out of West Point and Naval Academy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine academies, washing them out from being on the next promotion boards for first sergeant, sergeants, majors or officers, and they were creating a system where the ones that were going to be giving promotion to the next classes of individuals were all going to be those that didn’t say, No, I’m not a conservative, and you know, I’m okay with everything that you’re doing right now. That’s what was taking place.
Trump’s latest executive order has been cause for celebration among conservative circles on social media. Conservative commentator Liz Churchill commented on the news, writing on X, “THIS is what WINNING looks like President Trump will be reinstating the 8000 Service Men that were discharged for not taking the Bill Gates-Fauci ‘Covid Vaccine’ which killed MILLIONS.”
Similarly, the popular account Stop Socialist Tyranny wrote, “Great news, a huge victory for freedom and common sense, thanks to President Trump’s leadership. This move will help restore trust in our institutions and protect the rights of our brave service members. A big win for America and a big loss for the authoritarian elites who tried to impose their will on us.”
However, some users in the comments section had questions about the move. “Reinstating service members who were discharged over COVID vaccine mandates is a big move, signaling a shift toward prioritizing individual freedom within the military. For those 8,000 service members, it’s a chance to restore careers that were abruptly halted,” R.J. Finnegan initially wrote.
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He then asked, “However, it raises operational and logistical questions. How will this affect unit cohesion and readiness after years of separation? And how does the military balance medical requirements with personal choice going forward?” Finnegan concluded, “The decision will undoubtedly fire up debates about government mandates, accountability, and trust, but for many, it’s seen as a step toward correcting what they believe was a serious overreach during the pandemic.”
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