The Sconi

Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations Chairman Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) has requested a briefing from Department of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth regarding the department’s actions to address the termination of service members who refused the COVID-19 vaccine mandate issued in 2021. The mandate, introduced by then-Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, led to the dismissal of about 8,700 active-duty personnel.

“This dismissal of thousands of brave men and women from the military was a despicable act that damaged our armed forces,” Johnson wrote.

Johnson’s letter comes after a Daily Caller article reported that some former service members are still waiting for reinstatement and back pay following their discharge under the Biden administration’s vaccine policy. During President Trump’s second term, an executive order was issued allowing these individuals to return to their previous rank and receive full compensation, including back pay and benefits. In February 2025, Secretary Hegseth announced that affected service members could seek reinstatement and back pay.

“I have no doubt that you are committed to assisting our service members, which is why I want to bring to your attention a July 24, 2025 Daily Caller article that featured several former military personnel who have still not received back pay after being terminated for refusing the injection,” Johnson wrote in his letter.

Ron Johnson has served as U.S. Senator from Wisconsin since first winning election in 2010 against Russ Feingold with 51.9% of the vote compared to Feingold's 47%. He was re-elected in 2016 by defeating Feingold again with a margin of 50.2% to 46.8%, and won another term in 2022 over Mandela Barnes with a narrow victory of 50.4% to Barnes' 49.4%.

The full text of Chairman Johnson’s letter is available online.