A recent video has surfaced showing Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz making statements about carrying 'weapons of war' into actual combat. The video has sparked a debate, with conflicting reports emerging regarding Walz's military service.
Walz, who is the chosen vice presidential candidate for Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, served in the Minnesota National Guard for 25 years. In the video, Walz mentions his military background and support for common-sense gun legislation.
Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas Behrends, who claims to have been a member of Walz's battalion, criticized the governor's remarks, questioning the authenticity of his combat experience.
According to the Minnesota National Guard, Walz retired in May 2005, before his unit received deployment orders to Iraq in July of the same year. While Walz was part of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) during his time in Italy in 2005, he did not participate in any combat missions.
There are discrepancies regarding Walz's service in OEF, with the National Guard stating that deployment overseas in support of OEF qualifies as serving in the operation, regardless of direct involvement in combat zones.
When reached for comment, Walz's office provided an automated response. The controversy comes at a crucial time as Walz joins Harris on the Democratic national ticket, aiming to challenge President Donald Trump in the upcoming election.
During a recent event, Trump's running mate, J.D. Vance, accused Walz of deserting his fellow soldiers by retiring before their deployment to Iraq. The conflicting reports and accusations have added a new dimension to the political landscape as the election approaches.
