The drama of politics just got a sprinkle of military controversy. JD Vance has accused Minnesota Governor Tim Walz of “stolen valor.” That’s right, the governor allegedly isn’t honest about his service record in the National Guard. This is where it gets juicy—or should I say, shameful?
Criticism of Military Service
JD Vance, a fellow military veteran who actually deployed to Iraq in 2005, criticized Walz’s claims of military service, questioning his integrity and suggesting he should not claim war experience he did not have.
Vance isn’t alone in his attacks on Walz either. Ret. Command Sgt. Maj. Tom Behrends has accused the Governor of misleading the public. Behrends, who served in the same battalion as Walz, had some biting words for his old comrade. On “The Ingraham Angle,” Behrends didn’t mince his words, calling Walz a “traitor” for not deploying to Iraq with his unit.
Behrends, airing his grievances even more fervently, stated that Walz abandoned the unit before their deployment to Iraq in 2005. According to Behrends, this was a betrayal of the highest order.
Pointing out another glaring flaw, it was confirmed that Walz retired from the National Guard in May 2005; his unit received deployment orders in July 2005 and deployed the following March.
Defending Walz
Democratic figures were quick to put on their superhero capes for Walz. Representatives Jason Crow and Jake Auchincloss went on the offensive, defending Walz by criticizing Vance’s allegations. During a Democratic National Committee press call, Crow and Auchincloss insisted that attacking a veteran’s service is unacceptable and highlighted the need for Democrats to challenge allegedly baseless claims like Vance’s.
There were further reassurances within Democratic circles as well. Even Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg stepped into the fray, defending Walz’s honorable service.
Tim Walz served honorably and well.
Again, this is strategic: team Trump needs us tied up in debates over pre-retirement conditional rank promotions because they are desperate NOT to discuss their (unpopular) policies, like tax cuts for the rich and banning access to abortion.
— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) August 8, 2024
As for Tim Walz, his defenders argue his service record speaks for itself. He served 24 years in the National Guard, with deployments and various non-combat operations, including a significant stint in Italy.
To add some more spice, even the Harris campaign felt the heat and updated Walz’s bio to reflect his official retirement rank accurately. Veterans, key political figures, and even the general public have weighed in, both defending and questioning his service.
Sources:
- Democratic vets stick up for Walz after Vance ‘stolen valor’ attack
- Assessing claims about Tim Walz’s military service
- Making sense of JD Vance’s ‘stolen valor’ accusations against Tim Walz
- Fellow soldier defends Walz’s military service
- Harris campaign walks back Walz bio amid ‘stolen valor’ controversy as questions swirl
- Khttps://www.forbes.com/sites/saradorn/2024/08/07/vance-accuses-tim-walz-of-national-guard-stolen-valor-the-heavily-contested-allegations-explained/
More from Around the Web:
JD Vance RIPS Tim Walz over ‘shameful’ military service: ‘Stolen valor garbage’
Megyn Kelly Reveals the Truth on the Military Record and “Stolen Valor” Claims About Tim Walz:
Twitter Post Claims Proof of Stolen Valor:
Here’s Walz committing ACTUAL stolen valor and saying he went to war. Would be a shame if it went viral 💅 pic.twitter.com/wFN72y6Nas
— 🇺🇸 ~ 𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐧 ~🎙️ (@RogueLou18) August 7, 2024
