Vice President Harris’ presidential campaign admitted Friday that her running mate, Gov. Tim Walz “misspoke” about his past military service as a growing chorus of critics accuse him of “stolen valor.”
“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. It’s the American way,” Team Harris said in a statement to NBC News Friday.
“In making the case for why weapons of war should never be on our streets or in our classrooms, the Governor misspoke. He did handle weapons of war and believes strongly that only military members trained to carry those deadly weapons should have access to them, unlike Donald Trump and JD Vance who prioritize the gun lobby over our children.”
Walz had been facing pressure to clarify his military record after a 2018 video surfaced of him touting his career in the National Guard as a reason for increased gun control.
“We can make sure that those weapons of war, that I carried in war, is the only place where those weapons are at,” Walz said in the clip, which was posted to Harris’ own campaign X account on Tuesday.
While Walz served 24 years in the National Guard, he never saw combat in war and infamously retired from his unit shortly before they were deployed to Iraq. Walz said he bolted so he could run for Congress.
Walz has also faced heat from veterans for embellishing his rank. The two-term governor of Minnesota has also long identified himself as a retired Command Sergeant Major — a falsehood as he was demoted when he retired to just a master sergeant.
Sen. JD Vance, former President Donald Trump’s running mate, has looked to capitalize on the issue.
“What bothers me about Tim Walz is this stolen valor garbage. Do not pretend to be something that you’re not,” the Marine veteran said. “I’d be ashamed if I was him and I lied about my military service like he did.”
