Ohio Senator JD Vance, running with Donald Trump, has criticized Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s military record. Vance says Walz avoided serving in Iraq by leaving the Army National Guard and running for Congress in 2005, but there’s no proof for this claim.
Both parties are trying to define Walz
Vance also accused Walz of lying about serving in a combat zone. Walz retired two months before his unit was set to go to Iraq. Both parties are trying to define Walz, who was recently chosen as Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate. Walz’s long military service is important to many voters, but Republicans are trying to paint him as out of touch.
Both Walz and Vance have military backgrounds, unlike their running mates. Walz served in the Army National Guard for 24 years and retired in 2005. He then ran for Congress in Minnesota and won in November 2006.
Vance claimed Walz left his unit before it went to Iraq
On Wednesday in Michigan, Vance claimed Walz left his unit before it went to Iraq. Walz retired from the Army National Guard in May 2005, and his unit received orders to go to Iraq two months later. They prepared for deployment in fall 2005 and went to Iraq in March 2006 for 22 months.
Like all regular people in America's heartland, JD Vance studied at Yale, had his career funded by Silicon Valley billionaires, and wrote a bestseller trashing that community.
— Tim Walz (@Tim_Walz) August 6, 2024
Come on.
I can't wait to debate the guy—that is, if he's willing to get off the couch and show up. pic.twitter.com/4orv0v2xTZ
Vance also accused Walz of lying about his combat service. In a video, Walz spoke about supporting a ban on assault weapons after the Parkland shooting, mentioning his experience with military weapons. However, Walz’s 2003 deployment with the National Guard was to Italy, not a combat zone.
A spokesperson for Harris defended Walz, emphasizing his long service and experience with military weapons, and thanked Vance for his service.
Vance served in the Marine Corps for four years, including a six-month deployment to Iraq, and left the service in 2007 as a corporal.
press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre defended Walz
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre defended Walz, highlighting his long service and contributions as a teacher and coach in the Midwest. This isn’t the first time Walz’s military record has been questioned. During the 2022 governor’s race, his opponent criticized his service and rank when he retired. Walz defended his 24-year service and honorable record. He retired as a master sergeant, one rank below command sergeant major because he didn’t complete extra coursework. A fellow veteran supported Walz, saying he did nothing wrong in leaving the Guard.