Tim Walz falsely claimed he was carrying weapons “in a war” in a resurfaced video, which J.D. Vance blasted this week as another example of the Minnesota governor exercising “stolen valor.”
Kamala Harris’ running mate made the remarks after resurfacing a video on social media of Harris advising a packed audience about gun violence during her 2018 gubernatorial campaign.
“We can study the effects of gun violence. We can make sure that weapons of war that are carried in war are only carried in war,” said Waltz, 60.
Critics were quick to point out that Waltz, who retired from the National Guard in 2005, never actually served in a combat zone.
“Waltz made several statements during his conversation with the group that suggested he had possessed a weapon in a combat situation,” CNN’s Jake Foreman said.
“Growing up in a military family, I know there’s a difference between being in a combat zone, being involved in wartime and actually being in a situation where people are shooting at you,” he added.
“There is no evidence that Governor Walz was in a position to be shot at any time, and some of his statements could easily be seen to suggest so, which is completely false.”
Republican vice presidential nominee J.D. Vance, at a campaign rally in Michigan on Wednesday, accused Walz of using “stolen valor.”
“He said weapons that I used in war should not be left on the streets of America,” Vance said. “Well, Tim Waltz, when were you in a war?”
“The only thing that bothers me about Tim Waltz is this stolen valor bullshit. Stop pretending to be something you’re not,” he added.
