Veterans in Minnesota are criticizing Governor Tim Walz over his military record after he was named as Vice President Kamala Harris’s running mate for 2024. Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas Behrends called out Walz for running away when his country called him to serve. Questions have been raised about Walz’s service record and claims of “stolen valor” after he retired just months before his battalion deployed to Iraq in 2005. Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Paul Herr accused Walz of subverting the chain of command and retiring to benefit himself. The mother of a soldier who died in Iraq also criticized Walz for retiring before his unit deployed.
After retiring from the military, Walz went on to have a successful career in politics, serving in the U.S. House of Representatives before becoming Governor of Minnesota in 2019. Harris announced that she had chosen Walz as her running mate, sparking a new wave of criticism from veterans who accused him of misrepresenting his military service, including falsely claiming to be a retired Command Sergeant Major. The former battalion commander of Walz’s unit said it was disrespectful to the military for him to continue using a rank he did not earn upon retirement.
Walz has been accused of misrepresenting his service in the military, including claiming to have been in a combat zone when he had only been deployed to Italy. Despite claims of “stolen valor,” the Harris campaign defended Walz’s service record, saying he had misspoken about carrying weapons in war. Veterans have continued to criticize Walz for his actions, with some claiming he dropped out of the Army and allowed his unit to deploy without him when called to serve in Iraq.
Despite the mounting criticisms from veterans, some have come to Walz’s defense, praising his decades-long service and dedication to veterans’ issues in Congress. Former colleagues and veterans have spoken out in support of Walz’s service, citing his commitment to veterans’ causes and legislative efforts while in office. Walz is expected to join Harris in Chicago for the Democratic National Convention, where he will be formally introduced as her running mate for the 2024 election.
Critics of Walz’s military career have been vocal for years, but the national attention on his record has intensified since he was named as Harris’s running mate. Some veterans have accused Walz of embellishing his military record and omitting key facts about his service. Despite the controversies surrounding his military career, Walz’s supporters praise his contributions to veterans’ issues and acknowledge his dedication to serving his country in various capacities throughout his career.
