Walz definitely has problems with his military record. These quotes are from a Washington Post piece:
The Harris campaign, in response to those comments, said in its statement to The Post that Walz carried, fired and trained others how to use “weapons of war innumerable times.” It declined to address why Walz claimed incorrectly to have done so in war.
“Governor Walz would never insult or undermine any American’s service to this country — in fact, he thanks Senator Vance for putting his life on the line for our country,” the statement said. Vance, a Marine Corps veteran, served in Iraq in a noncombat role for six months beginning in fall 2005.
Later there’s this little statement:
Though Walz did achieve the rank of command sergeant major, it was a provisional rank until he completed required coursework for senior leaders, National Guard officials said. He did not do so by the time he departed the military and his retirement rank reverted to master sergeant on May 15, 2005, officials said. Walz retired the next day.
The Harris campaign declined to address why Walz has inaccurately said he retired as one. He has sometimes called himself a “former command sergeant major,” which is accurate.
The Washington Post is using its very best newspeak to avoid saying “Walz lied” but the end result is the same: The Washington Post is documenting two instances at least of Tim Walz lying about his National Guard service.
As I have noted previously, TIm Walz calls himself a “retired Command Sergeant Major” on his bio page on the Kamala Harris campaign web site—which means this is not an accidental mis-phrasing from years ago, but a very recent error from this week.
Big deal or little deal?
