Senator J.D. Vance has accused VP candidate Tim Walz of abandoning his military duties.
Donald Trump’s running mate, Senator J.D. Vance, has condemned Tim Walz for allegedly leaving his National Guard unit just before they were deployed to Iraq.
According to an exclusive report by Daily Mail, Vance, who served with the U.S. Marines in Iraq, expressed his dismay aboard Trump Force Two. He argued that abandoning a unit as they prepare for deployment reflects poorly on Walz’s integrity and leadership.
These claims have sparked a robust dialogue about Walz’s past, particularly his military service record. On May 16, 2005, then-lieutenant Colonel Tim Walz retired from the Minnesota National Guard, giving up his role as a senior non-commissioned officer.
The timing of Walz’s retirement coincides with his unit, the 1-125th Field Artillery Battalion, receiving orders to prepare for mobilization, significantly exacerbating the criticism from Vance.
Thomas Behrends, a retired command sergeant major, detailed how Walz’s departure allegedly left his battalion without crucial leadership. “On May 16th, 2005, he quit, betraying his country, leaving the 1-125th Field Artillery Battalion and its soldiers hanging, without its senior Non-Commissioned Officer, as the battalion prepared for war,” Behrends claimed.
The accusation fits into a broader critique by the Trump campaign aimed at undermining Democratic support in critical states such as Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania. Vance’s campaign method includes drawing attention to his military service in contrast to Walz's alleged actions.
Vance highlighted flaws in the Harris campaign's vetting process, criticizing them for not thoroughly investigating Walz’s military background.
Senator Vance also accused Walz of misrepresenting his military experience to gain political leverage, particularly regarding statements on gun control.
“I know he didn't go to a combat zone, so why is he lying to make a political point?” Vance queried, referencing a Harris campaign video in which Walz discusses firearm regulations.
The controversial nature of Walz’s retirement decision raises questions about the impact this may have on the Democratic campaign's appeal to veteran voters and active-duty military personnel.
Accusations of Walz embellishing his military record come at a critical juncture in the presidential race, potentially influencing public perception and voter sentiment. Vance has called the act of leaving a unit before deployment “absolutely shameful.”
Senator J.D. Vance criticized Kamala Harris's V.P. pick, Gov. Tim Walz, for allegedly retiring from the National Guard to avoid deployment to Iraq in 2005. Vance, a former Marine, called it 'shameful' and accused Walz of lying about his military service for political gain. Reports claim Walz left his unit as they were preparing for deployment, prompting backlash from his former comrades.
