(ProsperNews.net) – Despite waves of criticism for allegedly claiming to fight in battle and to have retired with a higher rank than he really did, Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and the presidential campaign of Vice President Kamala Harris have avoided addressing the accusations.
Ever since Harris announced Walz as her running mate on Tuesday, Aug. 6, the Minnesota governor has faced increased public scrutiny about his background and credentials. One of the details pointed out immediately by critics was the fact that Walz seems to be inflating his military background, including misrepresenting the rank he retired at in order to appear more prestigious and qualified next to former President Donald Trump’s running mate Sen. JD. Vance, who is also a veteran.
The source of the controversy is Walz’s official website which is worded in a way to imply the governor retired as a command sergeant major when he left the Minnesota Army National Guard, also known as the rank of E-9. In reality, Walz retired as a master sergeant or an E-8. Walz only temporarily held the E-9 rank under the condition that he complete additional coursework, which he failed to do, and the rank was rescinded.
Army Lt. Col. Kristen Augé, the State National Guard State Public Affairs Officer, confirmed to reporters that the Minnesota governor retired as a master sergeant “for benefit purposes” and did not complete the requirements to retire as a command sergeant major, nullifying the temporary appointment.
Ret. Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas Behrends appeared on “The Ingraham Angle” podcast for an interview on Wednesday, Aug. 7, and slammed Walz for inflating his military history and misleading the public. Behrends said Walz used a rank “he never achieved” to advance his career in politics. He also blasted the governor for portraying himself as someone who saw combat while not having any fighting experience.
The highest-ranking critic of Walz is Vance, who pointed out that the governor “dropped out” and allowed his unit to fight in Iraq without him. Vance noted that he fought in Iraq and was proud of his service. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre dodged questions about Vance’s comments and the controversy, claiming Walz’s retirement after 24 years was normal and that his record “speaks for itself.”
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