During the confirmation hearing for defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth on Tuesday, Jan. 14, Hegseth vowed to reinstate and reimburse troops who were dismissed for refusing to take the COVID-19 vaccine years ago. The statement came amid unrelated questions about diversity and discrimination policies in the military.

Hegseth said past Pentagon policies that required the vaccine were a form of religious discrimination.

The Defense Department mandated the COVID-19 vaccine for all troops from August 2021 to January 2023 with limited exceptions for medical issues or religious objections. About 8,000 troops were forced out for refusing the order.