War Secretary Swears In General Forced To Retire After Refusing COVID-19 Vaccine

What happened: War Secretary Pete Hegseth swore Air Force Brig. Gen. Melissa Cunningham back into service at the Pentagon on Oct. 23. She was forced to retire in fall 2022 after refusing the COVID-19 vaccine. Key numbers: More than 8,000 service members were discharged after declining the vaccine. 608 discharged members have returned to active duty so far. Why it matters: Hegseth praised Cunningham for leading others by her stance and said she is the kind of person the military wants back. Cunningham said leaders of moral conscience are needed to return as the nation faces threats.

War Secretary Pete Hegseth swore Air Force Brig. Gen. Melissa Cunningham back into service at the Pentagon on Oct. 23. She was forced to retire in fall 2022 after refusing the COVID-19 vaccine.

Hegseth praised Cunningham for leading others by her stance and said she is the kind of person the military wants back. Cunningham said leaders of moral conscience are needed to return as the nation faces threats.