Governor Accused of National Guard Misconduct

Tim Walz, the Democratic candidate for Congress and Vice President Kamala Harris's running mate, is facing scrutiny regarding his retirement from the Minnesota National Guard in 2005. Former Command Sgt. Maj. Doug Julin revealed to CNN that Walz may have been aware of an impending deployment to Iraq when he circumvented standard procedures to secure his retirement approval. Julin recounted a meeting in February 2005 where plans for the unit's mobilization were discussed, and Walz indicated he would be "going forward with the battalion," despite not yet being nominated for Congress. In June 2005, shortly after Walz's retirement in May, Julin learned that Walz had "quit" without prior discussion, raising questions about the protocol followed. Julin expressed concern over the lack of communication, noting that the approval for Walz's retirement came from a higher authority without his involvement. He emphasized that Walz, given his rank, should have adhered to the established chain of command regarding his exit from military service. Julin criticized Walz's actions as a "backdoor process," suggesting that Walz sought approval from higher-ups to bypass Julin, who was his immediate superior. This incident has led to speculation about Walz's knowledge of the deployment timeline, as the unit was alerted for mobilization shortly after his retirement. The unfolding details have sparked discussions about military protocol and the responsibilities of leadership within the National Guard.