Soldier Pardoned by Trump Shares 'Plandemic' Conspiracy Image

A soldier pardoned by President Donald Trump shared an image associated with COVID conspiracy theories on his social media when thanking the president for his pardon.

Former 1st Lieutenant Mark Bashaw was discharged from the Army in 2023 after being found guilty of refusing to obey orders around COVID-19 prevention in 2022. His official offense was listed as "violation of lawful orders," and although he was convicted, he was not sent to prison.

Bashaw has been contacted for comment via email to his cryptocurrency company.

Why It Matters

The Trump administration, which oversaw the initial response to COVID-19 in the U.S, including the rapid research and development of vaccines in 2020, has been working to reinstate military members who refused the COVID-19 vaccine, while firing transgender military personnel.

The COVID-19 pandemic has killed 1.2 million Americans since 2020 according to the World Health Organization, and approximately 300 Americans are still dying every week from COVID infections due in part to low vaccine rates and difficulties accessing medication.

What To Know

Bashaw has been pardoned by the president, after becoming the first member of the military to be court-martialed over refusing to comply with COVID protocols.

He took to X to thank Trump for the pardon, and shared an image of the Punisher logo accompanied by the phrase "Plandemic Reprimando: COVID-19 Reprimanded Ranks."

He said: "Special shoutout to ... ALL the Reprimandos/Patriots who took a stand against tyranny, and most importantly Jesus Christ Almighty! Glory to God."

The term plandemic refers to a conspiracy theory that the global COVID pandemic was a human-made plot created by those in power.

Bashaw was found by military investigators to have violated several COVID-19 prevention protocols including refusing to wear a mask, failing to send in proof of a negative test before showing up to work, and refusing to telework. These protocols were required of soldiers who were not vaccinated against the virus.

His military disciplinary record has now been expunged by the pardon. He was among 19 people granted pardons between May 27 and May 30, 2025.

When Trump took office for a second time, one of his many executive orders was to reinstate members of the military who had refused COVID-19 vaccinations. The executive order states: "The military unjustly discharged those who refused the vaccine, regardless of the years of service given to our Nation, after failing to grant many of them an exemption that they should have received. Federal Government redress of any wrongful dismissals is overdue."

When the vaccine mandates were announced in 2021, Lieutenant General R. Scott Dingle, the U.S. Army Surgeon General said: "This is quite literally a matter of life and death for our Soldiers, their families, and the communities in which we live."

Vaccines were considered "a health and readiness priority for the total Army."

An Army press release in 2021 said: "While Soldiers who refuse the vaccine will first be counseled by their chain of command and medical providers, continued failure to comply could result in administrative or nonjudicial punishment—to include relief of duties or discharge.

"Soldiers have the ability to request an exemption from receiving the vaccine if they have a legitimate medical, religious or administrative reason."

Since being discharged from the military, Bashaw has built a cryptocurrency platform called Freedom Financial 1776.

What People Are Saying

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

"Thank you, Mr. President[Donald Trump], and to your incredible team, WRWY [We Are With You]."

What Happens Next

It is unclear at this time whether Bashaw will return to the military.