Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has dismissed Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance's ongoing attacks against Democratic candidate Tim Walz, arguing that they prove Walz's "spotless record." Buttigieg's defense comes after Vance accused Walz of lying about his military record for political gain.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has come to the defense of Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz, dismissing Republican attacks against his military record as unfounded. Buttigieg's comments came on CNN's "State of the Union" on Sunday, where he argued that Vance's attacks are an indication of Walz's "spotless record."
Vance has repeatedly accused Walz of lying about his military service, claiming that Walz exaggerated his role in combat. However, Buttigieg dismissed these claims, suggesting that they prove Walz's spotless record.
Buttigieg Defends Walz, Calls Vance's Attacks "Unfounded
"The fact that they have to go back to find a clip from 2018 to find the one time that he slipped up when he talks about the weapons of war that he carried and said something instead about carrying weapons in war. It‘s kind of an exception that proves the rule in terms of how hard you have to look to find him all saying anything that isn‘t precise and accurate," Buttigieg said.
The clip Buttigieg referenced featured Walz discussing gun control and referring to his own military background.
Buttigieg Defends Walz, Calls Vance's Attacks "Unfounded
"We can make sure that those weapons of war, that I carried in war, is the only place where those weapons are at," Walz said in the clip, which was posted by Kamala Harris’ campaign on X.A Harris campaign spokesperson later issued a statement admitting that Walz "misspoke" in the clip since he was never deployed in a combat zone.
"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 spokesperson added.
Buttigieg Defends Walz, Calls Vance's Attacks "Unfounded
The Washington Post fact-checker called Walz's claim "sloppy and false" on Saturday.
Buttigieg argued Walz only "slipped up" on his military record once. (Photo by RONDA CHURCHILL/AFP via Getty Images | )
The segment did not reference other accusations against Walz, such as his Harris campaign website biography claiming he was a "retired Command Sergeant Major."
National Guard officials have said that Walz retired before fulfilling requirements for the position, including coursework at the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy. Though he achieved the rank of command sergeant major, he was later reduced in rank to master sergeant.
Walz’s biography has been updated to say he "served as a command sergeant major." Fox News' Adam Shaw and Louis Casiano contributed to this report.
