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Did Bernie Sanders Dodge the Draft?

Given uncertainty around the Iran war, we thought it might be a good idea to refresh everyone's memory on the military draft.

by Jack Izzo, Feb. 15, 2016


A group of men in military fatigues raise their right hands to take an oath. A commanding officer faces them, with his back to the camera.

Image courtesy of Chip Somodevilla, accessed via Getty Images


Following the United States' decision to go to war with Iran in 2026 (unofficially — the Constitution says only Congress can declare war), claims circulated online about the potential of a return to the military draft. 

According to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, President Donald Trump isn't considering a draft but "keeps his options on the table." Over the past few years, Snopes has reviewed several claims about the draft and its implementation.

We've also covered a litany of claims about politicians who supposedly avoided the draft, last implemented by the U.S. during the Vietnam War.

Given the uncertainty in Iran, we went back through our archives and pulled 11 stories about the draft and people who supposedly dodged it. We hope you'll be well-informed if the subject comes up again:


By Jack Izzo

Jack Izzo is a Chicago-based journalist and two-time "Jeopardy!" alumnus.

A close up of the bottom-halves of a bunch of soldiers in camo and black boots marching beside each other

What to know about automatic US military draft registration planned by December 2026

April 9, 2026

In the past, eligible men have had to self-register for the draft by law. A change will make it ...

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U.S. soldiers participate in a training exercise.

Did US Army raise maximum enlistment age to 42? Here's the full story

March 28, 2026

Many internet users speculated the change would help address a trend of lower recruitment number ...

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White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, a white woman with blonde hair, speaks into a microphone while wearing a white blouse and black blazer.

Did Leavitt say Trump hasn't ruled out military draft, ground troops for Iran?

March 9, 2026

As Trump reportedly weighs putting boots on the ground, many people fear he will bring back the ...

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A high school student wearing a military uniform examines a rocket that another student is holding. People can be seen standing around them.

Project 2025 Proposes Military Draft for All Public High Schoolers?

Sept. 25, 2024

According to posts across Instagram, TikTok, X and Facebook, the alleged proposal wouldn't apply ...

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How Many Vietnam War-Era Draft Deferments Did Trump Receive?

June 16, 2024

Donald Trump became eligible for the draft in 1964, at the same time the U.S. dramatically incre ...

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Did Biden Call for a Military National Draft?

Feb. 28, 2023

A post claimed he would call 20-year-olds to war over Ukraine.

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Crowd, Person, Human

Did Biden Receive 5 Draft Deferments Because of Asthma?

Jan. 26, 2022

The president did not serve in the military during the Vietnam War.

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did wayne lapierre receive draft deferment for mental disorder

Did NRA Leader Wayne LaPierre Receive a Draft Deferment for 'Nervous Disorder'?

Feb. 21, 2018

A years-old Internet rumor suggests the gun rights figurehead may not be mentally sound enough t ...

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Trump: 'We're Bringing Back the Draft'?

Dec. 5, 2016

Reports that Donald Trump said that he plans to reinstate a military draft in the U.S. originate ...

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Women Must Register for the Draft?

June 29, 2016

Reports stating that women are now required to register with the Selective Service are premature.

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Did Bernie Sanders Dodge the Draft?

Feb. 15, 2016

Bernie Sanders applied for conscientious objector status during the Vietnam War draft, but he wa ...

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