Minnesota Governor Tim Walz on Tuesday defended his military record amid attacks from Republicans, led by political rival JD Vance, who accused him of stolen valor.
“I’m proud of my service to this country,” Walz said during his first solo campaign event in Los Angeles.
The vice-presidential candidate from the Democratic Party said that he served in the National Guard for 24 years: “All my brothers and sisters in uniform do it for the same reason, we love this country.”
He also addressed GOP critics during a speech at the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Convention.
“There are these guys — they’re even attacking me because of my service record,” Walz said. “And I just want to say that I’m proud to serve my country and always will be.”
“I strongly believe that you should never tarnish someone else’s service record,” Walz said Tuesday. “I have a few simple words for everyone brave enough to wear this jersey for our great country, including my opponent, thank you for your service and sacrifice.”
Republicans attacked Walz on his military recordWith Vance, a Marine Corps veteran, He accused Walz of lying about his service.
Criticism of Walz’s military service grew after Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign published it video clip Testimony showing Walz discussing gun control in 2018 and referring to his military background. “We can be sure that those weapons that I carried in the war are the only places where those weapons are,” Walz says in the clip.
Last week, Vance alleged that Walz misrepresented his military record in those statements.
“If I were him and lied about my military service like he did, I would be ashamed,” Vance said.
A spokesperson for the Harris campaign said Walsh had “misspoken” in the video when discussing his handling of weapons “during wartime”.
The governor’s 24 years in the military included serving overseas and supporting forward units, but he was not deployed to a combat zone. He officially retired from the Minnesota National Guard in 2005 as he prepared to run for Congress. He won a seat in the House of Representatives the following year.
Walz said Tuesday that he was encouraged to enlist by his father, who served in the Army during the Korean War, and enlisted in the Army National Guard two days after he turned 17.
The governor is holding several events without Harris this week after making numerous campaign stops with him in battleground states last week.