This week the Coast Guard entered a Settlement Agreement (full text) with three Coast Guard members who brought a class action contending that denial of religious accommodations from the military's COVID vaccine mandate violated RFRA, the 1st amendment and the Administrative Procedure Act. The Agreement in Jackson v. Mullin, (ND TX, Settlement Agreement filed 4/14/2026) requires the Coast Guard to remove references in personnel records of service members' decision to remain unvaccinated. The Agreement further provides in part:
2... [T]he Coast Guard will issue an internet-releasable ALCOAST general message re-emphasizing or otherwise declaring that:
a) The COVID-19 vaccination mandate was unlawful as implemented and an unfair, overbroad, and completely unnecessary burden on service members.
b) The Coast Guard supports expressive activities, to include religious expression. Accommodation of sincerely held religious beliefs is a pillar of the Coast Guard’s commitment to treating all service members with dignity and respect. The Coast Guard works to support each service member’s religious practices to the broadest extent possible within the bounds of military readiness, unit cohesion, good order, discipline, health and safety. Discrimination on the basis of religion is contrary to the Coast Guard’s core values of honor, respect, and devotion to duty....
4.... [T]he Coast Guard will post a statement of support for religious expression on its public website.... a) The statement ... shall read...: The United States Coast Guard supports expressive activities, to include religious expression. Accommodation of sincerely held religious beliefs is a pillar of the Coast Guard’s commitment to treating all service members with dignity and respect. The Coast Guard works to support each service member’s religious practices to the broadest extent possible within the bounds of military readiness, unit cohesion, good order, discipline, health and safety. Discrimination on the basis of religion is contrary to the Coast Guard’s core values of honor, respect, and devotion to duty.....
Thomas More Society issued a press release announcing the Settlement Agreement.
