GOP Scrutiny Grows Regarding Walz’s Military Record

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is facing intense criticism from Republican lawmakers regarding his military service record, especially since he was chosen as Vice President Kamala Harris’s running mate. Questions surrounding Walz’s deployment history during the Afghanistan War have led to renewed scrutiny from GOP members.

Walz, who has dedicated 24 years to the Army National Guard, has been accused of misrepresenting his service. This latest wave of attacks was spearheaded by Representative Jim Banks (R-Ind.), who chairs the House Armed Services’ Military Personnel subcommittee. In a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Banks raised concerns over whether Walz’s statements could be seen as “stolen valor.”

The accusations intensified further when several GOP officials, including vice presidential nominee Senator JD Vance from Ohio, criticized Walz for leaving the Guard prior to his unit’s deployment to Iraq.

Vance, who served in the Marine Corps, pointed to a 2018 video featuring Walz discussing gun violence. In the video, Walz remarks, “We can make sure that those weapons of war, that I carried in war, is the only place where those weapons are at,” which implies he might have portrayed himself as having been in active combat.

In the correspondence to Austin, first reported by Axios, Banks contended that public office holders must be transparent regarding their military records, emphasizing the need to maintain the integrity of the armed services. He stated, “Misrepresentation and deceit intended to mislead the public about their service erode the integrity of our military and impact all Americans who choose to serve.”

The Harris campaign reacted swiftly to these allegations, stating that Walz “misspoke” in the campaign video. A campaign spokesperson remarked, “Governor Walz would never insult or undermine any American’s service to this country — in fact, he thanks Senator Vance for putting his life on the line for our country.”

The spokesperson elaborated, noting that Walz believes only properly trained military members should access “weapons of war,” unlike figures like Donald Trump and JD Vance, who they claim prioritize gun lobby interests over public safety.

Additionally, the Harris campaign updated its online biography regarding Walz’s military service. Previously describing him as a “retired command sergeant major,” the campaign now notes that while he served at that rank, he retired as a master sergeant after not completing necessary coursework. The update, initially reported by Politico, aims to clarify Walz’s standing while still recognizing his significant experience in the military.

The Minnesota gubernatorial website continues to refer to him as “Command Sergeant Major Walz,” a title recognition of his time in service but not fully reflecting his retirement ranking. According to the National Guard, Walz did in fact serve as a command sergeant major but officially retired as a master sergeant in 2005 for administrative reasons.

Republicans continue to target Walz, alleging he has committed “stolen valor” by claiming military credentials he did not earn. These accusations have become a prime focus for GOP strategies against the Harris-Walz ticket, especially following the initial surge of support for the Democrats after Walz’s selection as a running mate.

Vance criticized Walz’s actions during a recent campaign event, saying, “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 letter, Banks urged the Pentagon to clarify the timeline regarding Walz’s retirement and whether he had deployed overseas to serve in combat, questioning whether his claims amounted to stolen valor.

Furthermore, Banks asked Austin if he believes Walz’s statements about carrying a combat weapon signify falsifying service records and whether there are repercussions for such actions.

Democrats have firmly defended Walz, arguing that he left the military to pursue a run for the U.S. House in May 2005, well before his unit received a deployment order in August. A fellow service member who served alongside Walz confirmed this, stating that while deployment was a possibility, no official orders had been issued at the time of his retirement.

The Harris campaign has emphasized Walz’s commitment to veterans, stating, “After 24 years of military service, Governor Walz retired in 2005 and ran for Congress, where he chaired Veterans Affairs and was a tireless advocate for our men and women in uniform.”

As the election approaches, the reverberations from this debate over military service are likely to continue shaping the narrative for both the Harris-Walz ticket and their Republican rivals.