In a significant development in the 2024 presidential race, Vice President Kamala Harris's recent pick for her vice-presidential running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, is facing serious allegations of "stolen valor." These accusations stem from discrepancies in Walz's military service record as reported in his official biography.
Governor Walz, who served in the Minnesota Army National Guard, claimed to have retired at the rank of Command Sergeant Major (E-9). However, records indicate that he retired as a Master Sergeant (E-8) in 2005. The controversy centers around a conditional promotion he received in 2004, which was later rescinded because Walz did not complete the required coursework at the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy.
HOLY SH*T!
Minnesota National Guard Leaders Expose Tim Walz for Stolen Valor, Lying About His Rank, and Quitting When His Unit Was Deployed to Iraq.
"As soon as the shots were fired in Iraq, he turned and ran the other way and hung his hat up and quit," said Tom Behrends, a… pic.twitter.com/14zvDeSPRV
— I Meme Therefore I Am 🇺🇸 (@ImMeme0) August 6, 2024
Retired Army Command Sergeant Majors Thomas Behrends and Paul Herr have been vocal critics of Walz. They revealed that Walz's promotion to Command Sergeant Major was nullified when he did not fulfill the necessary conditions. Additionally, they accused him of abandoning his unit when it was preparing for deployment to Iraq in 2005, choosing to retire under the pretense of running for Congress instead.
Behrends, who replaced Walz in the deployment, harshly criticized Walz’s decision to quit, stating, "As soon as the shots were fired in Iraq, he turned and ran the other way and hung his hat up and quit." He further described Walz's actions as "pathetic leadership" and emphasized that Walz's retirement documents were not properly signed, highlighting a lack of formal resignation as required by military protocol.
If Tim Walz actually had his rank reduced from CSM to MSG, as the document here states, and he's still running around publicly saying he's a retired CSM then that's legitimately stolen valor.
There's simply no other way to say it if true.#TimWalz #TamponTimmy #army pic.twitter.com/5lzaAj8fMl
— Mrgunsngear (@Mrgunsngear) August 6, 2024
This revelation has sparked a heated debate, especially among veterans and military personnel who view Walz's claims as a significant breach of trust and integrity. The Harris campaign has yet to issue a formal statement addressing these allegations.
Meanwhile, Walz's supporters argue that his long-standing service and dedication to his state should be considered, despite the controversy over his military rank.
The allegations of stolen valor could have significant implications for Harris's campaign as she seeks to solidify her position as the Democratic nominee. This issue adds to the ongoing scrutiny of her choice, with opponents quickly seizing upon the controversy to question Walz’s credibility and leadership.
The full impact of these accusations remains to be seen as the Harris-Walz ticket moves forward in the 2024 election campaign. The military community and voters alike will be watching closely to see how this issue is addressed and what steps are taken to clarify Walz’s military record.
