Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the Democratic Party nominee for vice president, faces renewed allegations of embellishing his military service record.
Walz is accused of exaggerating his combat experience, inflating his rank, and misrepresenting his service in the National Guard, even doing so while in conversation with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, as the Washington Free Beacon reports.
These claims have surfaced following an introduction by Pelosi at a press conference on Feb. 16, 2007. During this event, Pelosi referred to Walz as a retired "command sergeant major," a title he has been accused of adopting without completing the necessary coursework.
Tim Walz, who served in the National Guard for 24 years, never saw combat nor was deployed to a war zone. Despite this, he claimed to be a "veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom" on a 2004 political sign and on his campaign website in 2006.
Walz's participation in deployments to Norway for NATO forces and to Italy in support of Operation Enduring Freedom has been documented. However, these claims are contrasted with accusations of "stolen valor," some suggest have misled the public about his military status.
The controversial claims include his depiction in a Kamala Harris campaign video, in which he referenced the "weapons of war" he purportedly carried in battle. Inaccurate articles on his 2006 campaign website pointed to him as a veteran of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
Walz has repeatedly referred to himself as a "command sergeant major" in public statements and hearings. Officially, he retired in 2005 as a sergeant major (E-8), after failing to complete the coursework for command sergeant major (E-9).
Former Minnesota National Guard members noted Walz's retirement decision prompted negative reactions, suspecting it coincided with the battalion's imminent deployment to Iraq. A press release from his campaign dated March 20, 2005, mentioned his anticipation of the unit's deployment.
Walz's self-reported military career as an enlisted person is reflected in his comments during a congressional hearing, highlighting his duties taking care of the troops. "Well, thank you, Madam Speaker, and thank you to the leadership here," Walz responded to Pelosi's introduction.
The inconsistencies in Walz's military service claims have caused confusion among his constituents. This confusion was acknowledged by his staffers in 2009, indicating efforts to correct public misconceptions.
Walz's embellishments are reportedly documented across multiple sources, with accusations of false representation and creating a false narrative of his service. One former Minnesota National Guard member mentioned Walz's departure left a negative impression among his peers.
Moreover, Walz's March 2005 campaign statement emphasizes his readiness to deploy with his battalion to Iraq, stating a responsibility to both prepare and serve if needed. These declarations have been a focal point of the mounting scrutiny he now faces.
As the debate continues, many former National Guard members and political figures remain critical of Walz's self-portrayal on the military front. This controversy places the vice-presidential nominee at a challenging crossroads during his campaign.
