CITIZENS NEWS

Noem directs Coast Guard to reinstate service members discharged over COVID vaccine refusals

By isabelle // 2025-02-03

• President Trump signed an executive order to reinstate military personnel discharged for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine.
• DHS Secretary Kristi Noem instructed the Coast Guard to implement the reinstatement with full back pay and benefits.
• The order includes restoring ranks and promotions for affected service members.
• Trump's action addresses the unfairness of the Biden administration's vaccine mandate and the lack of exemption flexibility.
• Legal challenges persist, but a recent court ruling supports the push for justice and proper compensation for discharged service members.

After President Trump signed an executive order on Monday directing the reinstatement of service members who were discharged for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem instructed the United States Coast Guard to begin the process of reinstating these service members with full back pay and benefits. The directive comes as a welcome relief to many who were unjustly penalized by the Biden administration’s strict mandates. In a memo exclusively provided to Breitbart News, Noem outlined the steps the Coast Guard must take to comply with the executive order. "President Trump directed the government to reinstate service members discharged due to the refusal to receive the COVID-19 vaccine who would like to return to service, with full back pay and benefits," Noem wrote. She emphasized the importance of rectifying these discharges, stating, "I am directing the United States Coast Guard to immediately begin implementing the President’s direction and intent and issue appropriate policies and orders." Noem's memo detailed the specific actions required, including restoring ranks and promotions for those affected. "In implementing the President’s executive order, any enlistee reduced in rank prior to separation as a result of their refusal to get a COVID-19 vaccine, or for a reason reasonably related to such refusal, shall be reinstated to the rank they obtained prior to the reduction that preceded or accompanied their separation.," she wrote. Additionally, any service member selected but not promoted due to the mandate will be reinstated to the rank they were due, with their promotion date backdated accordingly.

Executive order a victory for health freedom

President Trump's executive order, titled "Reinstating Service Members Discharged Under the Military's COVID-19 Vaccination Mandate," highlights the unfairness of the military's actions. "The military unjustly discharged those who refused the vaccine, regardless of the years of service given to our Nation, after failing to grant many of them an exemption that they should have received," the order states. This move is a significant step toward righting the wrongs of the past and ensuring that those who served their country are not unjustly penalized. Trump's action is particularly laudable given the lack of flexibility and fairness shown by the Biden administration during the implementation of the vaccine mandate. The previous administration's rigid approach not only disregarded the constitutional rights and religious liberties of service members but also failed to provide adequate exemptions, leading to the unjust discharge of dedicated individuals. While Trump's executive order is a positive step, legal challenges remain. Children’s Health Defense (CHD) General Counsel Kim Mack Rosenberg noted that the order does not create a private remedy, meaning that service members may still need to pursue legal action to ensure they receive the back pay and compensation they deserve. Military BackPay, a group of lawyers representing former service members, is currently fighting three class action suits to secure these rights. The recent ruling in Harkins v. United States by Judge Armando O. Bonilla adds weight to these legal efforts. Bonilla found that the U.S. government illegally mandated an unlicensed product, highlighting the importance of informed consent and exemptions, especially with EUA products. This ruling paves the way for justice for thousands of service members and complements the executive order's goals. President Trump's executive order and Secretary Noem's directive mark a crucial step toward addressing the injustices faced by service members under the Biden administration's vaccine mandate. While legal and practical challenges remain, the reinstatement of these service members with full back pay and benefits is a significant victory for fairness and justice. It is a testament to the importance of leadership that stands up for the rights and dignity of those who serve our nation. Sources for this article include: Breitbart.com NewsMax.com ChildrensHealthDefense.org

Donald Trump military national security vaccines Trump Coast Guard pandemic outbreak health freedom infections resist plague vaccine mandate goodhealth goodmedicine reinstatement vaccine wars covid-19 covid-19 vaccines Kristi Noem