Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz has come under fire after a video emerged of him discussing his military service and handling of weapons "in war." The Harris campaign says Walz misspoke, but Republicans have heavily criticized his record.
Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz's military record has come under scrutiny after a video emerged of him discussing his handling of weapons "in war."
In a 2018 video, Walz is heard talking about gun control and referring to his own military background.
Tim Walz's Military Record Under Scrutiny After Video Emerges
"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 Harris' campaign on Tuesday.
Republicans, led by vice presidential candidate JD Vance, have criticized Walz's military service. Walz served 24 years in the National Guard but never deployed to a war zone. In 2003, he deployed with his unit to Vicenza, Italy in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, the name for the war in Afghanistan.
Tim Walz's Military Record Under Scrutiny After Video Emerges
He retired in 2005, several months before the unit deployed to Iraq.
Vance, a Marine Corps veteran who served in Iraq, has accused Walz of "stolen valor."
"I wonder Tim Walz, when were you ever in war?" Vance said at an event in Michigan. "What was this weapon you carried into war? What bothers me about Tim Walz is this stolen valor garbage. Do not pretend to be something that you're not."
The Harris campaign said Walz misspoke in the video and that he never intended to insult or undermine anyone's military service.
"Governor Walz would never insult or undermine any American's service to this country — in fact, he thanks Senator Vance for putting his life on the line for our country. It's the American way," the Harris campaign spokesperson said in a statement to NBC News.
"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.
Walz served in the Army National Guard from 1981 to 2005, retiring at the rank of command sergeant major. He was a member of the 1st Battalion, 194th Field Artillery Regiment, 34th Infantry Division.
During his time in the National Guard, Walz deployed to Italy in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2003. However, he did not deploy to Iraq or Afghanistan.
Vance has accused Walz of lying about his military service, but Walz has defended his record.
"I've never claimed to be anything other than what I am," Walz said in an interview with the Star Tribune in 2018. "I served my country in the National Guard for 24 years. I'm proud of my service, and I'm proud of the men and women who serve in our military."
The controversy over Walz's military record is likely to continue as the presidential campaign heats up.
