Governor Tim Walz’s military service record comes under fire as Republican lawmakers challenge his claims.
At a Glance
- 50 Republican lawmakers, all military veterans, criticize Walz’s military service claims
- GOP accuses Walz of misrepresenting his service and avoiding deployment to Iraq
- Walz retired from Minnesota National Guard in May 2005, before official deployment order
- PolitiFact rates Republican claims as “Mostly False,” citing timeline discrepancies
- Walz defends his 24-year service record, expresses pride in his military career
Republican Lawmakers Challenge Walz’s Military Record
A group of 50 Republican lawmakers, all military veterans, have penned a letter to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, criticizing his claims about his military service. The letter, shared by former President Trump’s campaign, accuses Walz of misrepresenting his service, particularly his assertions about carrying weapons in war despite not serving in a combat zone.
The lawmakers, led by Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.) and signed by GOP Sens. Joni Ernst, Roger Marshall, Roger Wicker, and Rick Scott, among others, emphasize that false claims about military service diminish the sacrifices of actual combat veterans. This scrutiny of Walz’s military service details has intensified since he joined the Democratic ticket with Vice President Harris.
Accusations of “Stolen Valor” and Service Misrepresentation
Republican vice presidential nominee J.D. Vance has been at the forefront of criticizing Walz’s military record. Vance claimed that Walz “dropped out of the Army” to avoid deployment to Iraq, calling it “shameful” and “stolen valor.” Rep. Ronny Jackson echoed these sentiments, stating Walz was “too afraid to deploy to Iraq.”
“When Tim Walz was asked by his country to go to Iraq, do you know what he did? He dropped out of the Army and allowed his unit to go without him. … I think it’s shameful.” – J.D. Vance, Republican vice presidential nominee and Ohio Sen.
However, a fact-check by PolitiFact rated Vance’s statement as “Mostly False,” noting that it distorted the timeline and context of Walz’s retirement and potential deployment.
Walz’s Military Service Timeline
Walz enlisted in the Nebraska National Guard in 1981 and transferred to the Minnesota National Guard in 1996. He served for 24 years before retiring from the Minnesota National Guard in May 2005. Walz’s unit was deployed to Italy in 2003 to support operations in Afghanistan and returned in 2004.
Importantly, Walz’s battalion received a possible deployment notification in March 2005, but the official order came in July 2005, after Walz had already retired. Walz had submitted retirement paperwork months earlier and retired to run for Congress, filing candidacy paperwork in February 2005.
Walz Responds to Criticism
Governor Walz has responded to these attacks, expressing pride in his service and recounting his military and political career. In a speech, he defended his 24-year service record in the Army National Guard.
“You have stated that you are ‘damn proud’ of your service, and like any American veteran, you should be. But there is no honor in lying about the nature of your service,” the letter stated.
The controversy surrounding Walz’s military service has become a focal point in the political landscape, with Republicans targeting it as a potential liability. This strategy mirrors the 2004 attacks on John Kerry’s military record by the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth. However, it also risks comparisons with former President Donald Trump, who avoided military service through deferments.
As the debate continues, the incident highlights the critical importance of honesty and transparency in public service, particularly when it comes to military records. The ongoing scrutiny of Walz’s service record serves as a reminder of the high standards to which elected officials are held and the potential consequences of misrepresenting one’s past experiences.
