Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, a Democratic vice presidential candidate, recently faced claims of stolen valor regarding his military service.
A video from 2018 resurfaced where Walz spoke about handling weapons “in war,” leading to scrutiny from the Republican side, particularly from Vice Presidential candidate JD Vance.
“We can make sure those weapons of war, that I carried in war, are only carried in war” – Tim Walz
What’s more disturbing about what Tim Walz says here?
1. Gov. Walz never went to war yet clearly said he did
2. Gov Walz is a far left gun grabber#TamponTimmy [1] #TimWalz [2]… pic.twitter.com/P7gK6l5qbt [3]— Mrgunsngear (@Mrgunsngear) August 6, 2024 [4]
A spokesperson from the Harris campaign clarified Walz’s statement, asserting that he “misspoke” and expressing gratitude for the service of military personnel.
They emphasized Walz’s stance on gun control, emphasizing that only trained military members should have access to certain weapons.
Vance and the Trump campaign were quick to challenge Walz’s military record, with Trump campaign communications director Steven Cheung accusing Walz of lying and attempting to tidy up his own misrepresentations through spokespersons.
Walz, who served 24 years in the National Guard but never deployed to a war zone, quit the military before his unit’s deployment to Iraq.
Laura Coates from CNN interviews Tim Walz’s former Command Sergeant Major Doug Julin. He definitively lays out the case of Walz abandoning his unit with knowledge of deployment in Nov of 2004, 6-7 months before he put in his retirement request. Along the way Walz assured he was… pic.twitter.com/bd1EPxg4p1 [5]
— Mike 🇺🇲 (@VegasMike27) August 9, 2024 [6]
Vance, a Marine Corps veteran, accused Walz of “stolen valor” and questioned the authenticity of his military service.
BREAKING: JD VANCE ACCUSES TIM WALZ OF STOLEN VALOR pic.twitter.com/ZRBJz99skc [7]
— Jack Poso 🇺🇸 (@JackPosobiec) August 7, 2024 [8]
This exchange has prompted a heated dialogue between the two camps, with Vance publicly expressing skepticism about Walz’s military claims and urging transparency regarding his service.