Trump Says He'll Reinstate Troops Who Refused COVID-19 Vaccination

‘Our armed forces will be freed to focus on their sole mission: defeating America’s enemies,’ President Donald Trump said.

President Donald Trump reviews the troops in Emancipation Hall during inauguration ceremonies at the US Capitol in Washington on Jan. 20, 2025. Jim Watson/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

President Donald Trump said on Jan. 20—moments after being sworn into office—that he would reinstate former members of the military who refused to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

“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,” Trump said at the U.S. Capitol in Washington.