In a fiery campaign rally in Asheboro, North Carolina, former President Donald Trump made a bold promise that resonates strongly with military personnel and conservatives across the nation. Trump vowed to rehire every service member who was discharged for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine, pledging that these individuals would receive not only reinstatement but also full backpay and an official apology from the federal government. This announcement has added fuel to his campaign, particularly among those who have opposed the Biden administration's handling of COVID-19 mandates.
During the rally, Trump did not mince words as he criticized the Biden-Harris administration's vaccine mandates, which led to the discharge of approximately 8,000 military members who refused to comply. “Kamala [Harris] and Crooked Joe purged 8,000 service members from our military for refusing their COVID vaccine mandate. They refused to do it. We didn’t want a mandate,” Trump declared, emphasizing his stance against forced vaccinations within the military.
BREAKING: President Trump has announced that all military members who were discharged for refusing the COVID mandate will be reinstated and receive full back pay, along with a formal apology from the United States Government. pic.twitter.com/wwJbvxQo6q
— 🇺🇸 Larry 🇺🇸 (@LarryDJonesJr) August 21, 2024
The issue of vaccine mandates has been a divisive one, particularly within the military, where compliance was strictly enforced under the Biden administration. Trump's promise to reverse these actions is seen by many as a rectification of what they believe was an overreach of government authority. He argued that the mandates never should have been implemented, stating, "The mandate stuff should have never happened," and he expressed his desire to see those wronged by the policy return to service if they wish.
As of October 2023, only 43 of the discharged service members have rejoined the military following the rescission of the vaccine mandate. This statistic highlights the potential impact of Trump’s promise, as many of those affected might be motivated to return under a new administration that acknowledges their refusal of the vaccine and compensates them for their lost time and wages.
#Trump promises to issue a formal apology from the United States Government, and reinstate all military members who were discharged for refusing the COVID Vaccine. This will include full back pay.
Absolutely owed to these people.
The mandate was illegal. pic.twitter.com/q6MRygb7eP— Emergent Perspective (@_emergent_) August 21, 2024
Moreover, Trump did not stop at addressing the vaccine mandate issue. He extended his critique to the overall morale and effectiveness of the military under the current administration, which he claims is suffering from a "major recruitment and retention crisis." According to Trump, this decline in military spirit is a direct result of the Biden administration's policies, which he vowed to reverse. “Morale in our military is now so low that almost every single branch is suffering,” he said, promising to initiate the largest peacetime recruitment drive in history if re-elected.
Trump also took the opportunity to target the senior military officials involved in the chaotic Afghanistan withdrawal in 2021, which resulted in the tragic deaths of 13 American service members. He pledged to demand the resignations of those officials immediately upon taking office, furthering his narrative of restoring competence and strength to the U.S. military.
This campaign promise has invigorated Trump’s base, especially those who felt disenfranchised by the COVID-19 vaccine mandates. By focusing on the grievances of military personnel and framing his pledge as a matter of justice and recompense, Trump is clearly positioning himself as a defender of individual rights against government overreach.
As the 2024 presidential election approaches, Trump's commitment to reinstating these service members with full backpay and an apology is likely to be a significant talking point, particularly among conservative voters who see the mandates as unconstitutional and an infringement on personal freedoms.
