{"id":2321578,"date":"2024-08-08T22:26:11","date_gmt":"2024-08-09T02:26:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/harris-campaign-changes-walzs-military-biography-after-backlash-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2024-08-08T22:30:07","modified_gmt":"2024-08-09T02:30:07","slug":"harris-campaign-changes-walzs-military-biography-after-backlash-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/harris-campaign-changes-walzs-military-biography-after-backlash-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Harris campaign changes Walz\u2019s military biography after backlash &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fharris-campaign-changes-walzs-military-biography-after-backlash-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2321578&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Vice President Kamala Harris&#8217;s campaign\u200d made a subtle revision to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz&#8217;s\u200b military biography following criticism from \u200dRepublicans regarding his military credentials. Initially, the \u200dcampaign\u200b described Walz as \u201cthe son of\u200b an Army veteran and a retired Command Sergeant Major in the Army National Guard.\u201d However,\u2062 this was altered to indicate that he is \u201cthe son of an Army veteran who served as\u200b a \u200b<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-admin-ignored-warnings-about-withdrawing-troops-from-afghanistan-military-leaders-say\/\" title=\"Military leaders say the Biden administration disregarded Afghanistan troop withdrawal warnings.\">command sergeant major<\/a>.\u201d This change was prompted by scrutiny revealing that Walz, despite having served\u200b in \u2063the Army National Guard for over two decades and\u2063 attaining the title of command\u200d sergeant major at \u2063one point, retired under the rank of \u200cmaster \u200bsergeant because he\u200b did\u200b not complete the necessary coursework for the higher rank.<\/p>\n<p>Walz\u200c has previously faced criticism for allegedly misrepresenting his\u200d military\u200b service during past elections. As\u2062 the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/pro-desantis-super-pac-readies-25-million-fall-ad-buy-in-iowa-and-new-hampshire\/\" title=\"Pro-DeSantis super PAC plans M ad buy in Iowa &amp; New Hampshire.\">2024 presidential race intensifies<\/a>, Republican \u2064Senator J.D. Vance has led attacks on Walz, questioning his \u200dmilitary record \u2062and suggesting he should\u200c be ashamed for \u2062his\u2064 claims. Vance highlighted that Walz has never served \u200cin a combat zone, even though he was deployed during wartime\u200d in Italy to \u200dsupport troops going to Afghanistan. The ongoing \u2063debate about Walz&#8217;s military service has garnered attention as the \u2063campaign unfolds.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Harris campaign changes Walz&rsquo;s military biography after backlash<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1726242\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Vice President <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/kamala-harris\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Kamala Harris<\/a>&rsquo;s campaign quietly updated Gov. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/tim-walz\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Tim Walz<\/a>&rsquo;s (D-MN) online biography after Republicans slammed its representation of her <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/harris-vice-presidential-pick-already-has-campaign-staff-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"Harris vice presidential pick already has campaign staff - Washington Examiner\">running mate&#038;rsquo<\/a>;s military record.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>After Harris picked Walz to be her No. 2 on Tuesday, her campaign website called the Minnesota Democrat &ldquo;the son of an Army veteran and a retired Command Sergeant Major in the Army National Guard himself.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Two days later, Walz&rsquo;s online biography has been changed to label him as &ldquo;the son of an Army veteran who served as a command sergeant major.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The seemingly minor update comes after intense <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/defense\/3114388\/walz-military-service-record-under-scrutiny-2024-race-heats-up\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>scrutiny<\/a> of Walz revealed that the Minnesotan did not retire as a command sergeant major.&nbsp;Walz spent over two decades in the Army National Guard, eventually serving in the role, but the title was rescinded because Walz failed to complete the necessary coursework required by the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy to achieve the higher rank. <\/p>\n<p>Walz consequently retired a step lower, under the rank of master sergeant, according to an Army spokeswoman.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Democratic vice presidential nominee Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN) arrives onstage to deliver remarks before Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris at a campaign event, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024, in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. (AP Photo\/Charles Rex Arbogast)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&ldquo;Walz attained the rank of command sergeant major and served in that role but retired as a master sergeant in 2005 for benefit purposes due to not <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/kamala-harris-campaign-scrambles-to-fix-vp-picks-biography-after-he-lies-about-military-record-but-its-too-late\/\" title=\"Kamala Harris&#039; Campaign Scrambles to Fix VP Pick&#039;s Biography After He Lies About Military Record, But It&#039;s Too Late\">completing additional coursework<\/a>,&rdquo; Army public affairs officer Lt. Col. Kristen Aug&eacute; said in a<a href=\"https:\/\/www.startribune.com\/walzs-24-years-in-national-guard-get-renewed-scrutiny-from-gop-opponent-who-didnt-serve\/600216280\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title> statement to the <em>Minneapolis Star Tribune<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>This isn&rsquo;t the first time Walz has faced criticism over misrepresenting his military credentials. During his 2018 race for governor in the North Star State, two retired command sergeant majors complained that Walz was misleading voters with his army titles.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>As the 2024 presidential race heats up, Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH), himself a Marine veteran, has led GOP attacks on Walz&rsquo;s representation of his military record.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>After Walz <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/KamalaHQ\/status\/1820918063966962143\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>said<\/a> he had carried weapons &ldquo;in war&rdquo; in a Harris campaign video, former President Donald Trump&rsquo;s running mate was quick to note that his Minnesotan rival had never &ldquo;spent a day in a combat zone.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>While Walz completed a wartime deployment to Italy in 2003, backfilling troops that were deploying to Afghanistan, he did not serve in combat. The Minnesota governor retired in 2005, just months before his unit deployed to Iraq.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>During a campaign stop in Michigan on Wednesday, Vance <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=PkV5k3l37k0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>blasted<\/a> Walz for &ldquo;stolen valor garbage,&rdquo; saying he should be &ldquo;ashamed&rdquo; for allegedly lying about his military service. The senator portrayed Walz&rsquo;s retirement in an unfavorable light, insinuating that he had conveniently retired just before his unit went to war.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I wonder, Tim Walz, when were you ever in war?&rdquo; Vance questioned. &ldquo;He has not spent a day in a combat zone. &hellip; I&rsquo;d be ashamed if I was him and I lied about my military service like he did.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Republican vice presidential nominee Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) speaks at a campaign event at Shelby Township Police Department, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024, in Shelby Township, Michigan. (AP Photo\/Alex Brandon)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&ldquo;What was this weapon that you carried into war, given that you abandoned your unit right before they went to Iraq and he has not spent a day in a combat zone,&rdquo; Vance continued.<\/p>\n<p>Allan Bonnifield, who served with Walz, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mprnews.org\/story\/2024\/08\/08\/what-walz-has-said-about-his-military-record-as-others-criticized-it\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>told Minnesota Public Radio<\/a> in 2018 that the governor agonized over his decision to leave the military in order to make a run for Congress.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;He weighed that decision to run for Congress very, very heavy,&rdquo; Bonnifield said of Walz. &ldquo;He loved the military, he loved the Guard, he loved the soldiers that he worked with, and making that decision was very tough for him. Especially knowing that we were going on another deployment to Iraq. He didn&rsquo;t take that decision lightly at all.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> reached out to the Harris campaign for comment. <\/p>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1726242\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1726242\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Vice President Kamala Harris&#8217;s campaign discreetly revised Governor Tim Walz&#8217;s (D-MN) online biography following criticism from Republicans regarding the portrayal of his military background. After selecting Walz as her running mate on Tuesday, the campaign initially described him as &#8220;the son of an Army veteran and a retired Command Sergeant Major in the Army National Guard himself.&#8221; However, just two days later, his biography was altered to state that he is &#8220;the son of an Army veteran who served as a command sergeant major.&#8221; This seemingly minor change came after scrutiny revealed that Walz did not actually retire with the rank of command sergeant major. Although he served over twenty years in the Army National Guard and held that position at one point, he lost the title because he did not complete required coursework for promotion at the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy. Consequently, he retired at a lower rank\u2014master sergeant\u2014as confirmed by an Army spokesperson.<\/p>\n<p>Lt. Col. Kristen Aug\u00e9 from Army public affairs clarified that while Walz achieved command sergeant major status during his service, he ultimately retired as a master sergeant in 2005 for benefits reasons due to incomplete coursework. This isn&#8217;t the first instance where Walz has faced backlash over his military credentials; during his 2018 gubernatorial campaign, two retired command sergeants major accused him of misleading voters about his military titles.<\/p>\n<p>As tensions rise in the 2024 presidential race, Senator J.D. Vance (R-OH), a Marine veteran himself, has spearheaded GOP criticisms regarding Walz\u2019s military claims. Following comments made by Walz about carrying weapons \u201cin war\u201d in a Harris campaign video, Vance quickly pointed out that Walz had never been deployed to a combat zone despite having completed wartime deployment duties in Italy back in 2003 before troops were sent to Afghanistan.<\/p>\n<p>Vance criticized Walz for what he termed \u201cstolen valor,\u201d suggesting shame on him for allegedly misrepresenting his service record and insinuating that he conveniently left active duty just before his unit was deployed to Iraq: \u201cI wonder when you were ever in war?\u201d Vance remarked during a Michigan campaign stop.<\/p>\n<p>Allan Bonnifield, who served alongside Walz, noted back in 2018 how difficult it was for him to decide to leave military service to pursue Congress amid impending deployments: \u201cHe didn\u2019t take that decision lightly at all.\u201d The Washington Examiner reached out for comments from Harris&#8217;s campaign regarding these developments<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3142,"featured_media":2321579,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/walz-military-record.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[4265,35844,36160,37620],"class_list":["post-2321578","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-backlash","tag-harris-campaign","tag-political-controversy","tag-walz-military-biography"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/walz-military-record.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2321578","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3142"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2321578"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2321578\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2321579"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2321578"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2321578"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2321578"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}