Tim Walz's Military Service Statement Draws Criticism from Republicans

Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz's 2018 statement about his military experience has come under fire from Republicans, who allege that he exaggerated his involvement in combat.

Democratic vice presidential candidate and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has found himself under scrutiny over a 2018 video statement in which he discussed handling weapons "in war." Republicans, led by vice presidential candidate JD Vance, have seized on the clip, claiming that Walz's military record has been exaggerated.

In the video, Walz is heard saying, "We can make sure that those weapons of war, that I carried in war, is the only place where those weapons are at." Republicans have seized on this statement, questioning when and where Walz served in a war zone.

Tim Walz's Military Service Statement Draws Criticism from Republicans

Walz's military record shows that he served 24 years in the National Guard, but never deployed to a combat zone. In 2003, he was deployed with his unit to Vicenza, Italy in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, the name for the war in Afghanistan. However, he retired in 2005, several months before the unit deployed to Iraq.

Vance, a Marine Corps veteran who served in Iraq, has accused Walz of "stolen valor," a term used to describe individuals who falsely claim to have received military honors or served in combat. "I wonder Tim Walz, when were you ever in war?" Vance said at an event in Michigan. "What was this weapon you carried into war?"

Tim Walz's Military Service Statement Draws Criticism from Republicans

Walz's campaign has dismissed the criticism, stating that he misspoke in the video and meant to say that he handled weapons in a military capacity, not in actual combat. "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 Harris campaign spokesperson said in a statement.

However, Republicans have continued to raise questions about Walz's military experience. Some have pointed to past statements by Walz in which he has referred to his deployment in Italy as being "in the theater of war." Others have questioned why Walz did not deploy to Iraq with his unit in 2005.

Walz's military service has become a focal point of the 2020 election campaign, with Republicans attempting to use it to paint him as a fraud. The issue is likely to continue to be debated in the lead-up to the November election.

* Tim Walz served in the National Guard for 24 years, from 1981 to 2005.

* He was deployed to Vicenza, Italy in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2003.

* Walz retired from the National Guard in 2005, several months before his unit deployed to Iraq.

* Republicans have accused Walz of "stolen valor," claiming that he has exaggerated his military experience.

* Walz's campaign has dismissed the criticism, stating that he misspoke and meant to say that he handled weapons in a military capacity, not in actual combat.