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Julin expressed his frustration with Walz’s actions, stating, “He went around my authority to get out of the position. I probably would have told him, ‘No, you’re going on the deployment.’” The retired sergeant major believes Walz’s actions sent a negative message to other soldiers, leading them to question his leadership. “Soldiers are thinking, ‘What does he know that I don’t know?’ That’s the kind of message it sends,” Julin said.
Tom Behrends, who replaced Walz for the deployment, has also voiced his disapproval. Behrends accused Walz of quitting shortly after being notified of the impending deployment, despite being conditionally promoted to command sergeant major. In an interview with KSTP-TV, Behrends stated, “After a few weekend Guard drills and being notified we were going to war, he quit in May of 2005. What kind of leader does that?” He further elaborated in a video interview with Alpha News, saying, “As soon as the shots were fired in Iraq, he turned and ran the other way and hung his hat up and quit.” Behrends went on to label Walz’s actions as “stolen valor.”
In response to these accusations, Walz has denied any wrongdoing. At a 2022 event dedicated to a Medal of Honor memorial, he addressed the remarks made by his former colleagues. “I don’t know if Tom [Behrends] just disagrees with my politics or whatever, but my record speaks for itself, and my accomplishments in uniform speak for itself, and there’s many people in this crowd, too, that I served with,” he stated. Walz described the situation as “unfortunate,” expressing disappointment over the negative attention surrounding his military service.
Brutal “Pocket Weapon” Stops Hearts (discounted for next 78)
As Tim Walz steps into the spotlight as Kamala Harris’ vice-presidential pick, these allegations pose a significant challenge to his candidacy. The controversy surrounding his military service record raises questions about his leadership and integrity, two critical qualities for someone aspiring to hold one of the highest offices in the land. How this situation will impact the Harris-Walz ticket remains to be seen, but the accusations of “stolen valor” are likely to fuel debate and scrutiny as the campaign progresses.
The accusations against Tim Walz highlight the complex nature of military service and the expectations placed on those who serve. As the political landscape evolves, the scrutiny of Walz’s actions during his time in the National Guard serves as a reminder of the importance of accountability and transparency in leadership roles. Whether or not these allegations will have a lasting impact on his political career remains to be seen, but they have undoubtedly added a layer of controversy to his vice-presidential nomination.
