WASHINGTON, D.C. — Former Fox News host Pete Hegseth, during his U.S. Senate confirmation hearing for the position of Secretary of Defense stated that American military service members discharged for refusing COVID-19 vaccinations under the Biden administration would be reinstated with full pay and rank if former President Donald Trump returns to office.
During the hearing, Hegseth criticized the military’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate, calling the vaccines “experimental” and arguing that service members removed for noncompliance should be reinstated.
He declared that as Secretary of Defense, under President Trump, those ill-treated service members will be welcomed back into to the military.
The Pentagon’s vaccine mandate, implemented in August 2021 and later rescinded in January 2023, led to the discharge of thousands of service members who declined vaccination. The current leadership of the Department of Defense has not commented on the possibility of reinstatement or back pay for those discharged.
Trump has previously voiced opposition to COVID-19 mandates but has not formally announced any plans regarding military reinstatements.