A former chaplain for Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s (D) National Guard unit called the governor a “coward” for retiring and leaving his unit just before a potential deployment.
in Interview and New York PostRetired Capt. Corey Bjartnes explained that just because Walz was “running for Congress” was “no excuse” for him to leave his unit before deploying. Bjartnes’ comments came after previous reports revealed that Walz had reneged on a promise to deploy from the U.S. Army National Guard in 2005 even though he was running for Congress at the time.
“In our world, dropping out after Warnold is [warning order] “It is an act of cowardice to issue this order, especially for a senior NCO,” Bjeltnes told the outlet.
As Breitbart News previously reported, Archived A March 2005 press release from the Walz campaign stated that “the National Guard Public Affairs Office announced the possibility of a partial mobilization of approximately 2,000 Minnesota National Guard troops.”
On Thursday, March 17, the National Guard Public Affairs Office announced the possibility of a partial mobilization of approximately 2,000 members of the Minnesota National Guard. First District Congressional candidate Tim Walz currently serves as the command sergeant major of the 1-125th Battalion, based in New Ulm and comprised primarily of men and women from southern Minnesota. The National Guard Public Affairs Office announcement specified that all or part of Walz’s battalion could be mobilized for duty in Iraq within the next two years.
Waltz, a world geography teacher at Mankato West High School, has been an active member of the National Guard since 1981. During his 23 years with the Guard, he has deployed to the U.S., including an eight-month tour during Operation Enduring Freedom.
When asked about a possible deployment to Iraq, Waltz said, “It is not yet known whether my artillery unit will participate in this deployment and I cannot comment further on the details of the deployment.”
While his tour of duty in Iraq may overlap with his election to Congress in Minnesota’s 1st Congress, Waltz is committed to continuing his campaign: “As Command Sergeant Major, I am responsible for not only preparing my unit for Iraq, but also deploying when called upon. Whether that be in Washington, D.C., or in Iraq, I will serve my country to the best of my ability.”
“I don’t want to speculate on what shape my campaign will take if I am deployed, but I have no plans to withdraw from the race. I am fortunate to have a strong group of enthusiastic supporters and an incredibly dedicated and intelligent wife, who will both be a big part of my campaign whether I am in Minnesota or in Iraq.”
If he is called to duty, Waltz will leave behind his wife, Gwen, and their 4-year-old daughter, Hope.
“Running for Congress is no excuse,” Biertnes added. “I stopped everything and went to war. I left my wife and three teenage kids and a 6-year-old behind and was away from home for 19 months.”
Alan Bonifield, a soldier who served with Walz during his time in the military, told MPR News in a 2018 interview that Walz “considered his decision to run for Congress very carefully” because he knew his unit would be “deploying to Iraq again.”
Outlet Reported About the 2018 interview:
“He took his decision to run for Congress very seriously,” Bonifield said. “He loved the military, he loved the National Guard, he loved the soldiers he served with. So that was a very difficult decision for him to make, especially knowing that we were going to be deployed to Iraq again. It was a decision he certainly didn’t make lightly.”
Another Interview and New York PostWalz’s successor, Tom Behrens, said the Minnesota governor’s decision to leave troops before the deployment was “like saying ‘Fuck America.'”
“He had an opportunity to serve his country and he said, ‘Fuck America,'” Berenson told the outlet. “I would not choose him as my running mate.”
Waltz, who was recently announced as Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate in the 2024 presidential election, has faced accusations of “defamation” and criticism after he suggested in his website bio that he retired from the military at the rank of E-9 (master sergeant).
Breitbart News reported:
Waltz served in the Minnesota Army National Guard and retired at the rank of Sergeant (E-8). However, his biography on his official website lists a higher rank in which he served briefly, but which was ultimately revoked because he did not meet all of the requirements for that rank. However, his biography suggests he retired at the rank of Command Sergeant (E-9).
