Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign acknowledged on Friday that her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, “misspoke” about his military service amid growing criticism and accusations of “stolen valour.”
The Harris campaign addressed the issue in a statement to NBC News, asserting that Walz would never intend to undermine or insult any American’s military service.
“Governor Walz would never insult or undermine any American’s service to this country, and he thanks Senator Vance for putting his life on the line for our country. It’s the American way,” the statement read.
The campaign explained that Walz “misspoke” while advocating for gun control measures. “In making the case for why weapons of war should never be on our streets or in our classrooms, the Governor misspoke.
He did handle weapons of war and believes strongly that only military members trained to carry those deadly weapons should have access to them, unlike Donald Trump and JD Vance, who prioritize the gun lobby over our children,” the statement continued.
The controversy erupted after a 2018 video resurfaced in which Walz referred to his National Guard service as a reason for supporting stricter gun control laws.
In the clip posted on Harris’ campaign X account, Walz stated, “We can make sure that those weapons of war that I carried in war are the only place where those weapons are.”
Although Walz served 24 years in the National Guard, he did not see combat. He retired from his unit shortly before it was deployed to Iraq, a decision he made to pursue a congressional run.
Additionally, Walz has faced criticism from veterans regarding his claimed military rank. The Governor has often called himself a retired Command Sergeant Major, an inaccurate title. According to records, Walz was demoted to Master Sergeant upon retirement.
Sen. JD Vance, the Republican vice-presidential nominee and a Marine veteran, has seized on the controversy. “What bothers me about Tim Walz is this stolen valour garbage. Do not pretend to be something you’re not,” Vance stated. “I’d be ashamed if I were him, and I lied about my military service like he did.”
The Harris campaign’s statement addresses the backlash while defending Walz’s record and emphasizing his commitment to military values.
