Trump pardons former Army officer court-martialed over COVID-19 vaccine, test, face mask rules

President Trump pardoned a former Army officer who was court-martialed over not taking the COVID-19 vaccine or submitting COVID tests to work in the office, and would not wear a face mask indoors.

Former Lt. Mark Bashaw was discharged from the Army following his court-martial in 2022 over the Biden administration's COVID rules to work in the office, as he refused to work remotely, The Hill news outlet reported. The president pardoned Bashaw on Thursday.

Bashaw was the company commander of the Army Public Health Center’s headquarters at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., when he was discharged, becoming the first service member to be court-martialed over the COVID vaccine mandate for the military.

The judge who oversaw the court-martial didn't give Bashaw a punishment besides his discharge from the military and a criminal record.

"I just received a Presidential Pardon from President Donald J. Trump," Bashaw posted on X on Thursday. "I am humbled, grateful, and ready to continue fighting for truth and justice in this great nation."

Trump has allowed service members who were kicked out of the military over the COVID vaccine mandate to be reinstated. It is unclear if Bashaw is looking to be reinstated.