Military Members Welcome DoD’s Move Against COVID-19 Mandate Accountability
Service members are expressing optimism regarding the Department of Defense’s (DoD) recent actions, which they believe may pave the way for accountability regarding the controversial COVID-19 vaccination mandate imposed under former Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.
In a notable comment, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth characterized the COVID-19 shot mandate as “unlawful.” However, as previously noted, these remarks lacked written documentation. From a legal standpoint, it’s crucial to understand that verbal and video statements carry weight in court proceedings.
On May 7, the DoD swiftly followed up Hegseth’s comments with formal documentation. The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (OSD) Personnel & Readiness disseminated a MEMORANDUM FOR SECRETARIES OF THE MILITARY DEPARTMENTS, asserting that the 2021 COVID-19 shot mandate, now rescinded, was “unlawful as implemented.”
In an interview with TGP, whistleblower and retired Navy Medical Service Corps officer Lt. Ted Macie emphasized, “Those who enforced the mandate can no longer claim their actions were lawful, which is crucial for ongoing litigation.” He added, “With the mandate deemed unlawful, those accountable now lack any protection for their actions that violated the law.”
In a recent post on X, Macie alleged a conspiracy among the DoD, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Pfizer to promote the COVID-19 shot mandate.
Bombshell email:
From: ROBERT J. PRESTON II, SES, USAF
Director, Civil Law and Litigation
The Judge Advocate General’s CorpsPossible collusion between DoD/FDA/P*izer to enforce the DoD mandate.
“General,
The wording of the FDA update removed the ‘legal distinction’… pic.twitter.com/Ie8Oh5Wacn
— Ted (@ted_macie) May 8, 2025
Macie further asserted, “Those involved in implementing the mandate must be held accountable. Some should face court-martials, particularly Robert J. Preston, who defended the use of the emergency use authorization (EUA) shot as legitimate.” He insists, “The most egregious offenders must be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted if necessary.”
Kacy Dixon, a former Air Force intelligence officer and Judge Advocate General (JAG), concurs. She told , “When unlawful actions are apparent within the DoD, the logical next step is to investigate. Depending on the findings, appropriate actions could include administrative penalties or criminal charges.”
In her view, “The worst offenders should be the first held accountable and to the fullest extent of the law.” As investigations progress through the military hierarchy, she acknowledged the complexities in establishing levels of culpability. “Questions arise regarding who knowingly violated the law, who ignored service members’ concerns, and who was simply unaware of the legal implications,” she said. Many service members felt their concerns were disregarded, leading to career-ending repercussions.
“Commanders issued punishments and discharges without hesitation,” she noted. “Secretary Hegseth must also act swiftly to initiate impartial investigations and ensure true justice follows the same resolute path.”
Macie expressed concerns about the subsequent Supplemental Guidance issued along with the OSD’s memo. He argues that it places a heavier burden on service members seeking redress for the injustices they experienced.
Macie emphasized, “The DoD should bear a greater responsibility to rectify the wrongs they committed.” He knows individuals striving to amend their records and return to service, yet they often face insufficient support from the DoD and a lack of response from recruiters.
He proposed a more proactive approach should be taken toward all affected service members, not just the 8,700 who were directly involved. “Those who resisted unlawful orders should be recognized,” he argued. “Many risked their careers to uphold their oath to the Constitution, and these are the individuals we want serving our nation. Without accountability or a demonstration of trust, many will remain reluctant to return.”
According to Macie, while Secretary Hegseth and his team appear committed to addressing the situation, it’s evident that much work remains. He believes that recognizing the need for expert guidance on these nuanced issues will expedite genuine remedies. “This is why many of us affected by the shot mandate are advocating for COMCAP, a proposed executive order that seeks a comprehensive and equitable resolution,” he concluded.
