Veterans criticize Trump campaign’s attacks on Tim Walz’s military record

More than 1,000 veterans and military family members have come forward in an open letter expressing their dismay over what they describe as politically charged attacks on the military service of Tim Walz, the Democratic vice presidential nominee. The letter, facilitated by the veterans advocacy group VoteVets, responds to comments made by Donald Trump and his running mate, JD Vance, targeting Walz’s 24-year career in the Army National Guard.

This controversy emerged as Vance, a U.S. senator from Ohio and a fellow veteran, critiqued the circumstances surrounding Walz’s retirement from the military in 2005, just before his battalion was set to deploy to Iraq. The letter from the veterans condemns Vance’s remarks as “disrespectful and deeply disappointing” given his own military service, while also emphasizing Trump’s long history of disparaging military personnel and veterans.

Tim Walz, currently the governor of Minnesota, enlisted in the National Guard at the age of 17 in 1981 and served until his retirement in 2005. He has explained that he decided to retire in order to pursue a congressional bid, which he ultimately won in 2006. The formal alert for Walz’s unit’s mobilization to Iraq came on July 14, 2005, nearly two months following his retirement. However, contemporaneous reports suggest that Walz may have been aware of the possibility of deployment as early as March 2005.

Vance, during a recent campaign appearance, underscored his grievances, alleging, “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.” He further accused Walz of “stolen valor,” asserting that Walz should not present himself as something he is not.

The open letter, signed by 1,048 individuals, including veterans, military families, and caregivers, rebuffs Vance’s claims and applauds Walz’s military service. It emphasizes that those who have served recognize Walz as a candidate who has dedicated his life to the military and its values. Noteworthy signatories include retired Major General Randy Manner and Brenda Sue Fulton, a former military officer who served in the Biden administration.

The letter underscores Walz’s significant contributions as a veteran and public servant, stating, “Governor Walz has demonstrated throughout his career a profound respect for those who serve, as well as their families.” In stark contrast to the accusations made by Trump and Vance, this group of veterans champions Walz as a leader who consistently supports and honors military families and veterans.

Additionally, the Trump campaign has alleged that Walz has embellished his military record. They specifically referenced a statement he made regarding handling weaponry during his service. Walz had commented, “We can make sure that those weapons of war that I carried in war are the only place where those weapons are at.” Notably, Walz was never deployed into combat. In response to these claims, a spokesperson for Harris’s campaign indicated that Walz “misspoke” and maintained that his experience with military firearms aligns with his views on gun control.

The assaults on Walz have drawn parallels to the controversial Swift Boat campaign that emerged during the 2004 presidential race against John Kerry. This effort sought to undermine Kerry’s celebrated Vietnam War service record. Chris LaCivita, who led the Swift Boat campaign, is a senior adviser to Trump, bringing additional scrutiny to the credibility of the current attacks on Walz.

In the wake of the ongoing dialogue, the Minnesota National Guard has provided further clarification regarding Walz’s military service, highlighting that he was eligible for retirement three years before he actually concluded his service. They noted that Walz received notice of his retirement eligibility on August 3, 2002, yet continued to serve for an additional three years, including a deployment to Europe.

Moreover, questions remain regarding the timeline and process surrounding Walz’s retirement paperwork, as it typically requires months to finalize once submitted. Veteran leaders have voiced their concern over the ongoing narrative, asserting that diminishing the sacrifices made by military personnel is detrimental to the integrity of political discourse in the country.

Source: USA Today