JD Vance Schools CNN
On Sunday, GOP vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance raised significant concerns regarding the military record of Democrat contender Tim Walz during an interview on CNN’s “State of the Union.” Vance pointedly reminded the audience of an earlier CNN segment featuring Walz’s former superior officer, who addressed the controversy surrounding Walz’s retirement from the National Guard.
Vance challenged Walz’s statements about his military service, particularly the claim that he was unaware of his unit’s deployment to Iraq. According to Vance, Walz knew about the impending deployment as early as the fall of 2004, a few months before his retirement. Vance argued that Walz’s decision to retire was strategically timed to allow him to run for Congress, which he believes reflects a lack of honesty about his service. “He knew he was going to Iraq,” Vance asserted. “He decided to retire because he wanted to pursue a political career.”
The controversy centers on remarks made by Walz’s former superior, Doug Julin, a retired Command Sgt. Maj. from the Minnesota National Guard. Julin confirmed that the deployment notification was received well before Walz’s retirement, contradicting Walz’s claims that he was unaware of the deployment. Julin’s statement was reported by The Washington Examiner, further fueling the debate.
Vance emphasized that his criticism was not aimed at questioning Walz’s overall military service, which spans 24 years, but rather at the alleged dishonesty surrounding his retirement. “I’m not criticizing his service; I’m criticizing the dishonesty that seems to be politically motivated,” Vance said.
Vance also expressed concern about the judgment of Democrat nominee Kamala Harris, questioning her decision to select Walz given the allegations of falsehoods about his military record. He challenged Harris to personally address the issue rather than leaving it to her campaign representatives.
Moreover, Vance highlighted discrepancies in Walz’s claims about his military experiences, noting that the Harris campaign admitted to a “misspoken” comment regarding Walz carrying a gun in combat. Vance, who has served in the U.S. Marine Corps, emphasized his commitment to honesty and integrity, arguing that Walz’s actions represent a serious breach of ethical conduct. “I think it’s scandalous behavior,” Vance concluded.
