Republican vice-presidential nominee JD Vance has accused Minnesota Governor Tim Walz of abandoning the National Guard to avoid deployment to Iraq, a claim that lacks evidence and has been disputed. Vance claims that Walz “dropped out of the Army and allowed his unit to go without him.” This accusation has resurfaced ahead of Tuesday’s debate and has also been supported by former President Trump and some retired guardsmen.
However, the Harris campaign has defended Walz, stating that he retired in 2005 to run for Congress and has been a tireless advocate for veterans and military families. Some of Walz’s fellow Guardsmen have also disputed the claims, describing him as a caring and good leader. Walz himself has defended his record and questioned the political motivations of those making the accusations.
The claim that Walz abandoned his unit before they were deployed to Iraq has been circulating in Minnesota politics for years, with some retired guardsmen accusing him of betraying his country. However, others have explained that Walz retired in order to run for Congress in 2006 and had been considering his decision before the deployment was announced.
The upcoming debate between Walz and Vance will provide a platform for these accusations to be discussed further. Walz, who was chosen as Kamala Harris’ running mate following a rushed process, is seen as a centrist who can appeal to midwestern voters in crucial swing states. Despite being labeled a “far-left lunatic” by the GOP, Walz has a reputation for working across the aisle during his time in Congress and as governor.
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