Rep. Waltz on CNN: ‘Why Does Walz Embellish and Lie if He’s So Proud?

In a fiery exchange on CNN, Rep. Mike Waltz (R-FL) fiercely criticized Governor Tim Walz (D-MN) for allegedly embellishing and misrepresenting his military service record. The confrontation took place during an interview with CNN’s Brianna Keilar on Wednesday, where Waltz defended a letter signed by several Republicans condemning Walz’s claims about his service in the Army National Guard.

The controversy surrounding Governor Walz, who is the Democratic vice presidential nominee, has intensified as he prepares to officially accept the party’s nomination at the Democratic National Convention. Waltz, a veteran himself, made it clear that the issue isn’t Walz’s service, but the perceived dishonesty about it.

Key Points:

• Rep. Mike Waltz criticized Governor Tim Walz for allegedly lying about his military service, particularly regarding his rank and combat experience.

• Waltz emphasized that the issue isn’t Walz’s service itself but the exaggerations and misrepresentations surrounding it.

• Governor Walz’s military record has become a point of contention, especially as he seeks higher office.

Keilar began the segment by challenging Waltz, suggesting that the letter he signed was an attack on Walz’s military service. Waltz quickly clarified his stance, stating, “I am attacking the lies about his service,” not the service itself. The heated debate revolved around Walz’s repeated claims about his military career, including the implication that he retired as a command sergeant major and the suggestion that he abandoned his unit before a deployment to Iraq.

Keilar attempted to defend Walz by playing a clip of a veteran who served with him, asserting that despite their political differences, the veteran vouched for Walz’s service. However, Waltz pointed out that other veterans, including the Command Sergeant Major who replaced Walz, have publicly stated that Walz left his unit “high and dry.”

“If he’s so damn proud about it, why does he have to continue to embellish it and to lie about it?” Waltz asked during the interview. He highlighted that Walz was promoted to sergeant major but failed to complete the necessary requirements to retire at that rank. Yet, Walz has been repeatedly described as a “retired command sergeant major,” a distinction Waltz argues is misleading.

The back-and-forth reached a peak when Keilar insisted that the letter Waltz signed was an attack on Walz’s service. Waltz rebutted, clarifying that the criticism was directed at Walz’s decision to avoid combat with his unit, a choice that Waltz and other veterans view as dishonorable for a leader.

“Rather than defending these decisions, I wish you would interview him and ask him those questions,” Waltz urged Keilar, pushing for greater accountability from Governor Walz. He argued that Walz has allowed others to falsely introduce him as a combat veteran without correcting the record, a practice Waltz called “an insult to those who did what it took to be a command sergeant major and retire.”

Waltz’s closing remarks struck at the core of the debate: the implications of Walz’s behavior on his judgment as a potential vice president. “That goes to both his judgment and Harris’ judgment when he’s going to be a heartbeat away as commander-in-chief and likely the only person with any military experience in the room,” Waltz added, emphasizing the seriousness of these embellishments in the context of national leadership.

Keilar acknowledged that Walz has “some questions to answer for,” but the interview ended with Waltz expressing his frustration that Governor Walz has not addressed these concerns directly. “The American people deserve it, the veterans community certainly deserve it,” Waltz concluded.

As the election season heats up, this debate over Walz’s military record is likely to remain a flashpoint, with questions about honesty, integrity, and leadership at the forefront.

Remember to share this article or subscribe to our newsletter for more updates.