- Thousands of veterans still affected by COVID vaccine mandate: Over 8,500 service members were discharged under the Pentagon’s 2021 COVID-19 vaccine mandate, with many still seeking justice and compensation for lost careers, benefits, and disrupted lives.
- Legal action intensifies for reinstatement and compensation: The law firm Military Back Pay is leading multiple class-action lawsuits, including Harkins v. U.S. and Bassen v. U.S., on behalf of veterans denied religious exemptions or discharged near retirement, representing over 700 plaintiffs.
- Trump's executive order offers partial relief: While Donald Trump has issued an executive order for backpay and reinstatement, some lawsuits remain active as veterans wait to see if the promised relief materializes fully.
- Lingering career and institutional damage: Despite the mandate’s repeal in 2023, affected service members still face stalled careers and advancement barriers, with legal experts warning of long-term damage to military morale and institutional trust.
Veterans still battling for justice four years after Pentagon's COVID vaccine crackdown
Although the mandate was officially repealed in 2023 through the National Defense Authorization Act, its effects linger. Many affected service members have faced long-term career and financial consequences, including blocked promotions, early dismissals, and lost retirement benefits. Now, hundreds are turning to the courts in hopes of securing redress.
Leading the legal charge is the firm Military Back Pay, which is spearheading three class-action lawsuits to secure compensation and reinstatement for those discharged. Among the plaintiffs are Chris Harkins, a highly decorated Coast Guard officer who was denied a religious exemption just months before qualifying for retirement, and Nick Bassen, an Army sergeant discharged despite being partially disabled and weeks away from finishing his service. Both men lost not only their military careers but also financial security and housing—Bassen, for instance, became homeless with a pregnant wife following his separation.
“It’s hard for me to do these interviews,” Harkins admitted, highlighting the emotional toll the ordeal has taken on him and his family. Bassen echoed similar frustration: “They elected to kick me out instead of letting me stay in and finish out my retirement process.”
These cases—Harkins v. United States, Bassen v. United States, and Botello v. United States—collectively represent over 700 plaintiffs. The Botello case, in particular, addresses the plight of reservists and National Guard members who were similarly barred from service due to their refusal to be vaccinated. Military Back Pay filed for class-action certification on July 9, with the Botello case heard in court just two days later on July 11.
Bassen’s lawsuit was paused in May following an executive order by former President Donald Trump offering backpay and reinstatement to service members affected by the vaccine mandate. However, plaintiffs in paused cases may still resume legal proceedings if they believe the government’s restitution is insufficient.
Veterans’ attorney Dale Saran, who previously defended military personnel during the anthrax vaccine controversy in the early 2000s, compared the COVID vaccine mandate to a “loyalty test” and warned of its broader implications. “People do not appreciate the institutional level damage that did to the military,” Saran said, suggesting that morale, trust in leadership, and cohesion have been deeply harmed.
Despite the mandate’s repeal, many affected veterans continue to face barriers to reentry, blocked advancement opportunities, and a lack of formal apology or full benefits restoration. As these legal battles unfold, they underscore lingering questions about medical freedom, religious rights, and accountability within the U.S. armed forces. For now, the fight for justice continues—not only in courtrooms but in the personal lives of veterans still navigating the fallout.
The Department of Justice has declined to comment on the pending litigation.
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