GOP Rep. Mike Waltz Challenges CNN Host to Interview Governor Tim Walz About Military Record

GOP Rep. Mike Waltz criticized CNN host Brianna Keilar for defending Gov. Tim Walz's military record despite allegations of misrepresentation. Waltz urged Keilar to interview Walz directly to address the inconsistencies in his claims.

GOP Rep. Mike Waltz (R-Fla.) has called upon CNN host Brianna Keilar to interview Governor Tim Walz (D-Minn.) about allegations of misrepresenting his military record. Waltz criticized Keilar for defending Walz despite the mounting evidence against him.

In a heated exchange on "CNN News Central," Keilar questioned Waltz about a letter he and 50 other Republican veterans in Congress sent to the Democratic vice presidential candidate, highlighting his "egregious misrepresentations." Keilar accused Waltz of attacking Walz's military service, but the congressman refuted this characterization, stating that he was only addressing the "lies about his service."

GOP Rep. Mike Waltz Challenges CNN Host to Interview Governor Tim Walz About Military Record

Keilar presented a clip of veteran Joe Eustice, who defended Walz's record, and asked Waltz why Republicans were making these allegations. Waltz responded by pointing out the Minnesota governor's repeated references to himself as a retired command sergeant major, despite not completing the requirements for the title.

Waltz also referred to Walz's decision not to deploy to combat with his unit as a leader, which he deemed "certainly not honorable." Keilar repeatedly brought up Eustice as a counterargument, but Waltz maintained that several other veterans who served with Walz had also come forward with criticisms.

GOP Rep. Mike Waltz Challenges CNN Host to Interview Governor Tim Walz About Military Record

As Keilar persisted in defending Walz, Waltz urged her to redirect her questioning towards the governor himself. "Brianna, you know, rather than defending these decisions, I wish you would interview him and ask him those questions, or that he would at least sit down and answer for these inconsistencies," Waltz said.

Keilar acknowledged that Walz needed to answer questions regarding his military record but continued to push back against Waltz's attacks. "I don’t know if it’s worth burning down 24 years of service," Keilar said.

GOP Rep. Mike Waltz Challenges CNN Host to Interview Governor Tim Walz About Military Record

Waltz reiterated his belief that Walz should address the allegations directly to provide transparency to the American people and the veterans' community. Keilar's previous suggestion that Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance exaggerated his own military record while attacking Walz also came under fire from Waltz.

"In a country where so few shoulder the burden, military service should not be a liability, it should be an asset," Keilar said. However, Waltz argued that the accusations against Walz diminished the service of those who have served honorably and made sacrifices.

GOP Rep. Mike Waltz Challenges CNN Host to Interview Governor Tim Walz About Military Record

Waltz's challenge to Keilar highlights the ongoing debate over the accuracy of Walz's military record and the importance of holding public figures accountable for their claims. The allegations against Walz have raised questions about the credibility of his statements and his fitness for office.