Trump calls military COVID-19 vaccine mandate a 'mistake' at North Carolina town hall

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Former President Donald Trump stated on Friday that the military's COVID-19 vaccine mandate was a mistake that led to the loss of skilled service members. Speaking at a town hall in North Carolina, Trump emphasized that the mandate, which required all service members to be vaccinated or face discharge, should never have been implemented. In 2021, the Defense Department mandated vaccination, resulting in the discharge of over 8,000 service members who did not receive medical, religious, or administrative exemptions.

Trump acknowledged that the mandate negatively impacted the military by causing the loss of valuable personnel. He expressed a desire for those discharged to be reinstated with pay, stating, "There should have never been a mandate. You should have been given choices." His remarks were prompted by a former Green Beret who had been discharged for refusing the vaccine.

Trump assured the audience of accountability for the decisions made during the pandemic, stating, "We’ll fire their asses," referring to those responsible for the mandate. He reiterated the need for choices, likening it to the demand for choice in education. The town hall also featured a Vietnam veteran who presented Trump with his Purple Heart, praising Trump's resilience following an assassination attempt.