A recent fact-check has cast doubt on a statement made by Vice Presidential candidate Governor Tim Walz regarding his military service.
According to Fox News, the analysis by a prominent newspaper has discredited Governor Tim Walz’s assertion of carrying ‘weapons of war’ during his military tenure. Walz was found guilty, based on the fact-check, of lying about parts of his military service.
Glenn Kessler, the chief fact-checker at the Washington Post, scrutinized Gov. Tim Walz’s previous assertions about his service in the U.S. Army National Guard. During a 2018 town hall meeting focusing on gun control, Walz claimed to have carried "weapons of war" in combat. However, his service record, reviewed by Kessler, shows he never served in a combat zone.
Walz, who has a 24-year-long history with the National Guard, received recognition during his service for his proficiency in sharpshooting and with hand grenades. Nevertheless, this record contains no evidence of active combat participation. The campaign for Vice President Kamala Harris, with whom Walz is running, admitted that he misspoke at the town hall.
In response to the controversy, Governor Walz issued a statement emphasizing his respect for American service members and reiterating his commitment to strict gun control measures. He argued that military-grade weapons should be restricted to military use, distancing his standpoint from his political opponents.
The issue quickly attracted attention from various media outlets and political figures, including GOP Vice Presidential nominee JD Vance, who openly criticized Walz’s statements. CNN’s Tom Foreman also reviewed the claim, confirming its inaccuracy, and further amplifying the scrutiny surrounding Walz.
JD Vance’s reaction was particularly vocal, questioning the veracity of Walz’s service claims and challenging the implications of his statements on gun rights.
During a rally in Philadelphia on August 6, 2024, the matter continued to loom over the campaign. Critics argue that Walz’s remarks could mislead voters about his military experience, an important factor for many constituents.
A spokesperson from the Harris campaign quickly addressed the error, stating plain and simply that "the governor misspoke."
In a candid expression of his views and a clarification of his previous statements, Governor Tim Walz discussed the intent behind his words at a town hall meeting, "I spent 25 years in the Army and I hunt… And I tell you what I have been doing. I’ve been voting for common sense legislation that protects the Second Amendment, but we can do background checks. We can do CDC research. We can make sure we don’t have reciprocal carry among states. And we can make sure those weapons of war, that I carried in war, is the only place where those weapons are at," said Gov. Tim Walz.
The Harris-Walz campaign remains focused on advocating for stringent gun control policies, despite the backlash from Walz’s misstep. This includes a strong push for background checks, funding for CDC research on gun violence, and limits on reciprocal carry laws among states.
The ongoing fallout serves as a stark reminder of the impact of every word spoken by candidates in the high-stakes arena of national politics, especially when it pertains to the sensitive issue of military service and gun control.
Critics argue that such statements must be meticulously measured to avoid misleading the public and detracting from the campaign’s primary objectives.
