Ten months after President Donald Trump ordered the full reinstatement of troops removed under President Biden’s Covid vaccine mandate, progress remains minimal.
The War Department has restored only 86 service members, a number far below expectations from Trump and his supporters.
Internal Resistance Slows Reinstatement Efforts
Senior officials say internal pushback is driving the slow pace.
They point to Stephanie Miller, the undersecretary who manages personnel systems across the department.
Miller oversaw the original mandate under Biden and previously served as the Pentagon’s DEI chief.
Her role has drawn intense scrutiny because her husband works as a defense and pharmaceutical lobbyist.
Critics say this connection raises serious concerns about conflicts of interest.
Trump Allies Push for Faster Compliance
Trump deputies, including Pete Hegseth, have pressed the department for months.
They argue that Pentagon holdovers are ignoring Trump’s directive and protecting past policies.
Supporters say each removed troop deserves full rank, benefits, and reinstatement without delay.
They also warn that long delays damage military readiness and morale.
They stress that thousands of former service members still wait for decisions.
No Clear Timeline From the War Department
The War Department has not provided a firm timeline for additional reinstatements.
Officials close to the process expect more internal battles over authority and policy direction.
Pentagon critics say the slow pace shows a deeper struggle inside the defense structure.
They argue that Trump’s reinstatement order faces organized resistance from career officials tied to the previous administration.
Growing Political Pressure
Lawmakers supporting Trump plan to demand faster action in the coming months.
They say the slow response undermines trust in military leadership and weakens confidence among service members.
As pressure grows, all eyes remain on Pentagon leadership and how they handle Trump’s directive moving forward.
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