Retired Agents Accuse Lucas Kunce of Stolen Valor in Missouri

On Wednesday, retired Border Patrol agents accused Lucas Kunce, a Democrat U.S. Senate candidate from Missouri, of 'stolen valor' due to his claims of being 'certified by the Border Patrol Tactical Unit (BORTAC).' Kunce had released an advertisement in August stating he trained with the Border Patrol at the southern border and was certified by BORTAC. However, retired agents refuted this, explaining that BORTAC is an elite unit with a rigorous selection process that Kunce, who was never a Border Patrol agent, could not have completed. The retired agents emphasized that BORTAC certification requires being a Border Patrol agent, undergoing an intense application process, and completing a demanding selection course. They noted that Kunce's claims misrepresent the training and expertise required for such certification. One retired agent expressed that claims like Kunce's undermine the credibility of those who have genuinely served in BORTAC, equating it to 'stolen valor.' Kunce's campaign manager defended him, stating that during his time in the Marines, he was attached to a group that trained with Border Patrol agents to prepare for deployment in Iraq. They asserted that Kunce completed a specific training course related to BORTAC, which they claim is reflected in his military records. The controversy has raised questions about the integrity of political candidates and their representations of military and law enforcement experience. Retired agents expressed their offense at the embellishment of border security credentials, calling for honesty in political discourse regarding border enforcement and security issues.