EXCLUSIVE: Four Veterans Speak Out About Tim Walz's "Stolen Valor" and Truth About Retiring Before Iraq Deployment | Ep. 876
Sep 2, 2024
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Joining the discussion are Tom Behrends, Paul Herr, Tom Schilling, and Rodney Tow—veterans who served with Gov. Tim Walz. They tackle serious allegations of 'stolen valor' and Walz's controversial decision to retire just before deployment to Iraq. The conversation explores themes of loyalty, leadership, and accountability, with veterans sharing personal stories highlighting the moral implications of Walz's choices. They argue that Walz's inflated military claims compromise the integrity of their service, sparking broader discussions on duty and betrayal.
Tim Walz faces serious 'stolen valor' allegations, reflecting broader issues of integrity and authenticity in military leadership roles.
Veterans assert that Walz's choice to retire before deployment resulted in feelings of abandonment and betrayal within his unit.
The discourse around Walz emphasizes the need for accountability in political figures regarding their military service and commitments.
Deep dives
Allegations Against Tim Walz's Military Service
Tim Walz, currently serving in a political capacity, faces serious allegations of 'stolen valor' regarding his time in the National Guard. Former service members, who served alongside Walz, claim he inflated his military rank and left his unit to avoid deployment to Iraq. They assert that instead of being deployed as claimed, he opted for a retirement shortly before his unit received deployment orders. This has raised significant concerns about his integrity and the betrayal felt by those who relied on his leadership during crucial times.
Witnesses Share First-Hand Accounts
Several retired command sergeants major who served in the same battalion as Walz have come forward to share their experiences and perspectives on his actions. These individuals assert that they were aware of Walz's intentions and choices leading up to his retirement, contradicting his narrative. They describe a sense of abandonment felt by the unit when Walz did not deploy with them, emphasizing the bond among soldiers and the responsibilities that come with leadership. The testimonies highlight the moral implications of his decisions on both his former soldiers and the wider military community.
Political Responses and Defenses
In response to the allegations, some political allies of Walz, including Congressman Adam Smith, have defended him, claiming that accusations are unfounded. They suggest that critics are fabricating narratives to undermine Walz's political career, especially during an election season. However, former service members argue that despite political rhetoric, the core issue remains Walz’s behavior during his service, which they believe warrants greater scrutiny. This division reflects broader tensions surrounding military service narratives in a political context.
The Importance of Military Integrity
The discussions surrounding Walz's case emphasize the crucial nature of integrity among military personnel, particularly in leadership roles. Former soldiers express that a leader’s credibility directly affects unit morale and cohesion. They argue that failing to honor commitments undermines the shared values upheld by the military community. This breach of trust not only impacts individual soldiers but also poses risks to the collective effectiveness of military operations.
Implications for Voters and Military Culture
The ongoing discourse over Walz's military service has significant implications for voters and military culture. As former service members urge the public to recognize the severity of the issues at hand, they emphasize the need for accountability in those seeking leadership roles. They warn against allowing individuals who have not upheld the values of service to gain positions of influence. This situation serves as a critical reminder for voters to assess the authenticity of their candidates and the importance of genuine service in maintaining military and civic integrity.
Megyn Kelly is joined by four veterans who served in the National Guard with Gov. Tim Walz and in his unit that deployed to Iraq, Tom Behrends, Paul Herr, Tom Schilling, and Rodney Tow, to talk about all the controversies surrounding the Democratic VP pick and his military service, why it matters when Walz retired just before his National Guard unit deployed to Iraq, why he had to know he was going to deploy before he retired, the relevance of his rank and his leadership role to how he abandoned his troops, what Walz told them at the time, his decision to run for Congress and whether that service counts, and why it matters Tim Walz has called himself a "retired command sergeant major" when he isn't one, the training that goes into retiring as a command sergeant major, the truth about Walz's public comments, the accusations that there's a political motive behind the veterans speaking out now, why Walz's motivations to portray himself as more decorated than he is are actually political, how Walz denigrated the National Guard with his "19-year-old cooks" comment, the truth about the National Guard and how incompetent Walz really is, how Walz' unit lost a 19-year-old in Iraq when Walz retired and left his men behind, what it means for Walz to potentially be one heartbeat away from the presidency, fear vs. bravery and Walz's wrong decision, why the veterans say Walz is a "coward" and "deserter," whether it's relevant that Donald Trump never served in the military, and more.
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