Republican vice presidential nominee Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio, fact-checking CNN’s Dana Bash, said Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D) “knew he was going to Iraq.”
During the period Interview Sunday Bash, Vance Clarified Waltz said he did not know his unit was going to Iraq when he “decided to retire,” which was a “lie.”
“In response to the question of when he left the National Guard, he turned in his election paperwork on Feb. 10, 2005,” Bash said. “That was a month before the National Guard announced a possible deployment to Iraq, so it ended up being two months. He left two months before the paperwork actually arrived.”
“But he said last night on CNN that Dana, who was actually his chief, knew he was going to be deployed to Iraq in February 2004, no, fall 2004,” Vance said. “So he knew he was going to Iraq and he made the decision to resign, retire, whatever term you want to use.”
Bash interjected, noting that Waltz is retired.
clock: Source CNN’s Dana Bash tried to cover up the fact that her network aired evidence that Tim Waltz had abandoned his people.
“Last night on CNN, one of the people who actually served with him in command said he knew he was going to be deployed to Iraq in the fall of 2004… pic.twitter.com/f9901na3um
— Arthur Schwartz (@ArthurSchwartz) August 11, 2024
“He wanted to run for Congress, so whatever,” Vance continued, “he lied about it. He said he didn’t know he was going to Iraq when he decided to leave, which is another lie. His senior military officers said that too. So, again, I’m not criticizing the military, I’m criticizing dishonesty.”
Waltz is Faced He has faced criticism over reports that he knew his unit might be deployed to Iraq, but left the military before it was deployed.
Democratic presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris and running mate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz wave as they board Air Force Two at Chippewa Valley Regional Airport in Eau Claire, Wis., Aug. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Julia Nickinson)
As Breitbart News reported, Archived According to a 2005 Walz campaign press release, the National Guard Public Affairs Office “announced the possible partial mobilization of approximately 2,000 Minnesota National Guard troops.”
On Thursday, March 17, the National Guard Public Affairs Office announced that approximately 2,000 members of the Minnesota National Guard may be partially mobilized. First District Congressional candidate Tim Walz is currently the command sergeant major of the 1-125th Battalion, based in New Ulm and made up of men and women primarily from southern Minnesota. The National Guard Public Affairs Office announcement noted that all or part of Walz’s battalion could be mobilized to 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.
Waltz has since retired from the military, but his unit was deployed to Iraq.
Christina Wong of Breitbart News also reported that Waltz did not retire as a master sergeant, or E-9, as previously suggested. At the time, Waltz was a master sergeant, or E-8.
