Rep. Greg Steube Demands Reinstatement of Unvaccinated Cadets at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy
WASHINGTON — U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) recently sent a letter to Admiral Linda L. Fagan, Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard to demand reinstatement of cadets who were wrongfully discharged because of their COVID-19 vaccination status.
“I’m requesting the U.S. Coast Guard reinstate any cadet who was wrongfully disenrolled after standing strongly against receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, including those who had religious exemption requests denied,” said Rep. Greg Steube. “The military’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate was repealed by the National Defense Authorization Act and signed into law by President Biden. There is no reason the Coast Guard should prevent these cadets from rejoining the Academy.”
Rep. Steube wrote, in part:
“I urge you to do the right thing and bring these willing young men and women back to the Academy and to the service to which they have pledged their best efforts. I understand that the Air Force Academy, the Naval Academy, the Merchant Marine Academy and West Point allowed cadets or midshipmen to continue their studies at their academies during the Fall of 2022, and continue to do so, despite those cadets being unvaccinated due to religious objections. There appears to be no reason the Coast Guard Academy cadets should be treated differently.”
“Can you provide an assurance that going forward no cadets will be dismissed from the USCGA, denied a commission, prohibited from graduating, or otherwise discriminated against based upon their COVID 19 vaccination status? What are your intentions with individuals who were reprimanded, discharged, or penalized for refusing the COVID 19 vaccine or filing a religious exception Will you work towards restoring both the readiness and the reputation of the USCGA?”
