President Donald Trump plans to sign an executive order to reinstate military members discharged for refusing COVID-19 vaccines, according to the White House.
"The Executive Order directs the Secretary of Defense to reinstate all members of the military (active and reserve) who were discharged for refusing the COVID vaccine and who request to be reinstated," the White House fact sheet states.
Reinstated service members will return to their prior rank. They’ll also receive back pay and benefits, according to the fact sheet.
"From 2021 to 2023, the Biden Administration and former Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin discharged over 8,000 troops solely due to their COVID-19 vaccination status," the fact sheet notes. "After the vaccine mandate was repealed in 2023, only 43 of the more than 8,000 troops dismissed elected to return to service under the Biden Administration and Secretary Austin."
Trump mentioned this move during his inauguration speech.
"This week I will reinstate any service members who were unjustly expelled from our military for objecting to the COVID vaccine mandate, with full back pay," the president stated on Jan. 20.
During a campaign speech last year, Trump vowed to rehire those dismissed over the vaccine mandate. He also promised back pay and an apology from the government.
Since taking office, the newly inaugurated president has been signing multiple executive orders.
Monday afternoon marks the end of Trump’s first full week back in office.