February 23, 2026
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to revive an Air Force lieutenant's bid for back pay after he refused to follow the service's now-overturned COVID-19 vaccine mandate on religious grounds, after the Sixth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of his case.
January 30, 2026
A U.S. Air Force reservist told the U.S. Supreme Court this week that equitable relief under a religious freedom law should extend to his back pay claim related to his refusal to follow its COVID-19 vaccine mandate, arguing he's only seeking "status-restoring relief."
January 15, 2026
The U.S. Air Force urged the U.S. Supreme Court to not hear a reservist's bid for back pay after he refused to follow its now-overturned COVID-19 vaccine mandate on religious grounds, arguing its sovereign immunity bars compensatory damages claims.