Donald Trump’s running mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance, intensified his criticism of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz over his military career, accusing him of avoiding service in Iraq after leaving the Army National Guard to run for Congress in 2005. Vance challenged Walz’s claims of having served in a combat zone during his time in the Army National Guard.
While Walz retired just two months before his unit received deployment orders for Iraq, the controversies surrounding his military record are part of a broader effort by both parties to shape perceptions of the relatively unfamiliar governor since he was announced as Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate. Walz’s extensive military service is seen as an asset for connecting with voters, which the Harris campaign is looking to leverage, while Republicans aim to portray him as a disconnected liberal.
Both VP candidates, Walz and Vance, have military backgrounds, unlike their respective running mates. Walz served in the Army National Guard for 24 years before retiring to pursue a congressional campaign in Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District in 2005, winning the election in November 2006.
During a campaign event in Michigan, Vance accused Walz of abandoning his unit before it was deployed to Iraq in 2006. “When the United States Marine Corps asked me to go to Iraq to serve my country, I did it. I did it honorably and I’m very proud of that service. When Tim Walz was asked by his country to go to Iraq, you know what he did? He dropped out of the Army and allowed his unit to go without him,” Vance stated.
Walz submitted his candidacy paperwork for Congress in February 2005. A month later, after the National Guard announced a potential deployment, he expressed his intention to remain in the race without knowing if his unit would be included in the mobilization. “I am dedicated to serving my country, whether that is in Washington DC or in Iraq,” Walz noted at the time.
According to the Minnesota National Guard, Walz retired in May 2005, and in a 2009 interview, he explained that he left the guard to concentrate fully on his congressional campaign, citing potential conflicts with the Hatch Act, which restricts political activities of federal employees. The timeline revealed that his unit received alert orders for deployment in July 2005, after his retirement, with mobilization occurring in the fall and deployment starting in March 2006.
Vance further criticized Walz for asserting he had served in combat, suggesting that the governor’s claims were misleading. Specifically, Vance referenced Walz’s comments about not allowing weapons he used in war on American streets following the Parkland shooting in 2018.
Walz deployed with the Minnesota National Guard in August 2003 as part of support for the U.S. war in Afghanistan, but he did not serve in either Afghanistan or Iraq as a combat soldier.
In response, a spokesperson for the Harris campaign defended Walz’s record, emphasizing his extensive experience with weapons during his 24 years of service. The spokesperson also highlighted Walz’s respect for all service members and acknowledged Vance’s contributions.
Vance’s military experience includes four years in the Marine Corps, where he served as a combat correspondent and completed a deployment to Iraq. He left the service in 2007 as a corporal.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre addressed Vance’s criticisms, stating, “This is someone who enlisted at 17 years old to serve his country. His record speaks for itself.”
The scrutiny of Walz’s military service is not new; he faced similar criticisms during past gubernatorial campaigns, which he defended by expressing pride in his 24 years of military service. Critiques have also targeted his rank upon retirement, as he officially retired as a master sergeant rather than a command sergeant major due to not completing certain coursework.
Joseph Eustice, a veteran who led Walz’s battalion, defended him, stating that Walz made no mistake in leaving the Guard, describing him as “a great soldier.”
This article has been updated to include additional details on the timeline of Walz’s military service and information regarding his unit’s deployment.