Trump Executive Order Leads to Reinstatement of 56 Coast Guard Members Dismissed Over COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Fifty-six members of the U.S. Coast Guard who were dismissed for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine under a mandate issued during the Biden administration have been reinstated with back pay following an executive order signed by former President Donald Trump. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced Monday that these service members, previously separated due to the vaccine requirement, will return to active duty as part of a broader effort to reverse the policy.
The controversial vaccine mandate was originally implemented on August 21, 2021, by then-Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, requiring all military personnel, including Coast Guard members, to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The mandate was met with resistance from some service members who cited religious, personal, or medical reasons for refusal. Nearly two years later, on January 10, 2023, the Department of Defense rescinded the vaccine requirement, followed by the Coast Guard’s own rescission on January 11, 2023.
Despite the rescission, many service members who had been discharged under the mandate remained separated from the military. That changed when President Trump issued Executive Order 14184 on January 27, 2025, which authorized the reinstatement of all service members discharged for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine. Following this directive, a three-member panel from the Board for Correction of Military Records of the Coast Guard reviewed cases and voted to reinstate the 56 affected members.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem hailed the move as a significant victory for “religious, personal and medical freedom,” emphasizing the importance of restoring the careers of those who had been forced out. The reinstatement includes back pay, acknowledging the time these service members were unjustly separated.
This development reflects ongoing debates over vaccine mandates in the military and the balance between public health directives and individual rights. The Coast Guard’s decision aligns with broader federal efforts to address grievances stemming from the pandemic-era policies.
For more information on the Coast Guard’s policies and the Board for Correction of Military Records, visit the U.S. Coast Guard official site. Details on the Department of Homeland Security’s role and announcements can be found at DHS.gov. The Department of Defense’s vaccine mandate history is documented at Defense.gov, and the executive order text is available through the White House official website.
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