GOP Intensifies Scrutiny of Walz’s Military Record

Republicans are intensifying their attacks on Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s military record as scrutiny mounts following his selection as Vice President Kamala Harris’s running mate. Questions have arisen about the accuracy of Walz’s representation of his service in the Army National Guard during the Afghanistan War.

Walz served for 24 years in the National Guard, but his military background has been under fire since his candidacy was announced. Key among these criticisms is whether Walz has misrepresented his service record, particularly his departure from the guard ahead of his unit’s deployment to Iraq.

In a notable development, Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.), who chairs the House Armed Services Military Personnel Subcommittee, sent a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin questioning whether Walz’s claims amount to “stolen valor.” The GOP’s criticism was only heightened after vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance (Ohio) and other Republicans accused Walz of abandoning his troops before their deployment.

Vance, a Marine Corps veteran, specifically highlighted a 2018 video where Walz discussed gun violence. In that clip, Walz made a statement about weapons of war, implying he had firsthand combat experience. This clip fueled allegations that he was exaggerating his military service.

In the letter addressed to Austin, first reported by Axios, Banks pointedly raised concerns regarding Walz’s characterization of his military time. He emphasized that the American people deserve clarity about the military records of those who serve in public office, especially when such service is presented as a qualification for a position. Banks underscored that misrepresentation undermines military integrity and impacts all who choose to serve.

In response to the scrutiny, the Harris campaign moved quickly to mitigate potential damage. They issued a statement asserting that Walz “misspoke” in the recent campaign video, clarifying that he respects the service of all military personnel, including Vance.

The campaign spokesperson remarked, “Governor Walz would never insult or undermine any American’s service to this country,” adding that his comments were intended to emphasize the importance of restricting access to military-grade weapons.

The campaign also modified their online description of Walz’s military service, adjusting the language from “retired command sergeant major” to reflect his actual rank upon retirement, which was master sergeant due to incomplete coursework for the higher rank. Despite this adjustment, his gubernatorial website continues to refer to him as “Command Sergeant Major Walz.”

While Walz reached the rank of command sergeant major during his service, he officially retired as a master sergeant in 2005, a distinction noted by Army public affairs. Lt. Col. Kristen Augé confirmed in a statement that Walz served in a command role but had retired at a lower rank for administrative reasons.

The accusations regarding Walz’s military service have been a focal point of the GOP’s strategy against the Harris-Walz campaign, particularly in response to the strong Democratic support following Walz’s selection as the vice presidential nominee.

Vance further criticized Walz by claiming he intentionally avoided deployment to Iraq. At a recent campaign event, Vance stated, “When Tim Walz was asked by his country to go to Iraq, you know what he did? He dropped out of the Army and allowed his unit to go without him.”

In his correspondence with the Pentagon, Banks raised additional questions about Walz’s retirement process and whether he misrepresented his service. He asked if Walz truly carried a combat weapon during war, positing whether such claims could be deemed as stolen valor and what consequences might arise for any service member found to have fabricated their military record.

On the other hand, Democrats have defended Walz against these attacks, clarifying that he opted to retire from military service in May 2005 to run for the U.S. House, well before any deployment order was issued for his unit. A colleague who served under Walz substantiated this timeline, asserting that Walz anticipated possible deployment but had not received an official order when he decided to retire.

“After 24 years of military service, Governor Walz retired in 2005 and ran for Congress, where he chaired Veterans Affairs and advocated for military personnel,” stated the Harris campaign. They assured that as Vice President, Walz would remain a dedicated champion for veterans and military families.