Republicans have been scrutinizing Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s military record since he became Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate. They have accused him of exaggerating his military service, with Sen. JD Vance going as far as to call it “stolen valor garbage.” Walz served in the Nebraska and Minnesota Army National Guards and reached the rank of master sergeant, retiring before his battalion was deployed to Iraq. There have been claims that he retired to avoid a 2005 deployment to Iraq.
In response to the scrutiny, the Harris campaign updated the language on their website to accurately reflect Walz’s rank and stated that he had misspoken in 2018 when he implied he had served in combat. Walz defended his military record during a campaign appearance in Los Angeles, stating that he is proud of his service and that he signed up for the Army National Guard just two days after his 17th birthday. He emphasized the love he has for his country and his belief that service members should not belittle each other’s records.
Walz criticized Republicans for attacking his military record and expressed gratitude to anyone willing to put on the uniform for their service and sacrifice. Vance responded to Walz’s remarks, thanking him for his service but adding that he shouldn’t have lied about it and hinting at further discussion during a vice presidential debate. Walz reaffirmed his pride in his service to the country and reiterated his stance that service members should respect each other’s records.
The controversy surrounding Walz’s military record has intensified with accusations of exaggeration and claims that he retired to avoid deployment to Iraq. Despite the scrutiny, Walz remains steadfast in defending his service and expressing pride in his commitment to the country. The updated language on the Harris campaign website reflects a more accurate representation of Walz’s military rank, and he has clarified any previous misstatements about his service. This issue highlights the importance of accurately representing one’s military record and the scrutiny that can come with it in the political sphere.
