Walz defends his military record in the face of Republican criticism at his first solo campaign event

Walz defends his military record in the face of Republican criticism at his first solo campaign event
Getty Images

Tim Walz, the Democratic nominee for vice president, defended his military service on Tuesday in the face of criticism from Republicans led by Ohio senator J.D. Vance, his opponent in the race, who charged Walz with stealing bravery.

At his first solo appearance on the campaign trail, Minnesota Governor Walz declared, “I am damn proud of my service to this country,” in Los Angeles.

Join our Channel

For 24 years, Walz said, he was a member of the National Guard “because we love this country, just like all of my brothers and sisters in uniform do.”

In remarks at the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Convention, he also took aim at his Republican detractors.

Walz remarked, “These guys have even attacked me because of my service record.” “And I just want to say that I always will be proud to serve my country.”

He declared, “I sincerely believe you should never disparage another person’s service record.” “To everyone who has the courage to wear the uniform for our wonderful nation, I just have a few simple words to say: thank you for your sacrifice and service.”

Republicans have criticized Walz for his military experience, claiming he lied about it, according to veteran of the Marine Corps Vance.

Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign released a video clip in 2018 featuring Walz talking about gun control and referencing his own military service, which sparked outrage about his military service. In the video, Walz states, “We can ensure that the weapons of war I carried into battle are the only ones in that location.”

Last week, Vance said that Walz had made false statements about his military service.

At the time, Vance declared, “If I were him and I lied like he did about having been in the military, I would be humiliated.”

A spokesman for the Harris campaign stated that Walz “misspoke” in the video when he talked about how he handles weapons “in war.”

During his twenty-four years in the service, Walz supported front units while serving overseas, but he never saw battle. In order to prepare for his congressional campaign, he formally retired from the Minnesota National Guard in 2005. Next year, he was elected to the House.

Walz stated on Tuesday that he enrolled in the Army National Guard two days after becoming 17 years old, motivated to do so by his father, an Army veteran of the Korean War.

After making multiple campaign trips with Harris in battleground states last week, he is hosting multiple events this week without her.

Leave a comment