6 days ago
Trump pardons Army officer who refused to follow COVID safety orders: Reports
The Brief
Former Lt. Mark C. Bashaw was pardoned by President Donald Trump on Wednesday.
Bashaw was convicted in a first-ever court-martial for violating COVID-19 protocols in the U.S. Army.
A judge who was overseeing Bashaw's case declined to impose any punishment.
Former Lt. Mark C. Bashaw, who was discharged from the Army after refusing to follow COVID-19 safety measures in 2022, received a pardon from President Donald Trump on May 28, according to multiple reports.
Dig deeper
Bashaw was convicted in a first-ever court-martial for violating COVID-19 safety protocols in 2022.
He faced three charges, including refusing to work remotely or submit to testing requirements and refusing to wear a mask while indoors. Bashaw also allegedly stayed at work even though he hadn't tested negative for the deadly virus.
However, the judge overseeing the case at the time declined to impose any punishment, according to a Newsweek report from 2022.
The backstory
Bashaw served as company commander of the Army Public Health Center's headquarters company at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland, USA Today reported.
At the time, the Army required all onsite workers to provide proof of being vaccinated against COVID-19 or submit to regular testing.
Big picture view
Trump pardoned several people including former Connecticut governor John G. Rowland, Kentrell Gaulden (known as rapper YoungBoy Never Broke Again), Kevin Eric Baisden, John Moore, former U.S. Rep. Michael Grimm, James Callahan, former Virginia Sheriff Scott Jenkins, and Tanner Mansell.
The president also pardoned realty TV stars Julie and Todd Chrisley, both of whom are serving federal prison sentences after being convicted of bank fraud and tax evasion three years ago.
The Source
Information for this article was taken from reporting by USA Today, The New York Times, and previous reporting by Newsweek and The Associated Press. This story was reported from Los Angeles.
