Former President Donald Trump has called for the reinstatement of military personnel discharged for refusing the coronavirus vaccination.

Trump made the idea Saturday during a speech at the Student Action Summit hosted by the conservative organization Turning Point USA in Tampa, Florida.

Trump stated, “We must eliminate all COVID regulations and lockdowns.” “Rehire every patriot who was dishonorably discharged from the military, with an apology – we must apologize to them. And all their arrears,”

Trump’s speech is below. His remark against the military is made at the 1:10:30 mark.

If elected to a second, non-consecutive term in the 2024 presidential election, Trump would be well-positioned to carry out this promise.

The former president has said he is likely to run, and some polls indicate Trump has a commanding lead in the 2024 Republican primary.

Trump slammed what he termed “woke” cultural policies that harm the military in his speech.

“You hear all about the woke stuff… I think a lot of our military laugh it off, but at some point it really gets in there, you get infected, and it’s bad,” he said (at about the 26:45 mark in the speech above).

Under the administration of President Joe Biden, the Department of Defense has enforced coronavirus vaccinations and granted only difficult-to-obtain religious and medical exemptions.

According to Military.com, more than 60,000 soldiers in the Army National Guard and Army Reserves have been prohibited from military duty due to the order.

In February, the Army announced that troops who flatly refuse to get the coronavirus vaccination will face separation procedures.

More on this story via The Western Journal:

Soldiers in the process for a medical or religious exemption aren’t on the same timeline, although it’s no sure bet that they’ll be granted an exemption from vaccination.

Meanwhile, military recruiters are struggling to enlist enough Americans to properly staff the force. CONTINUE READING…