Kennedy Criticizes Tim Walz as a Progressive

Democratic lawmakers and military veterans are pushing back against Republican claims that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, a 24-year National Guard veteran, abandoned his unit during its deployment to Iraq. GOP figures, including Senator JD Vance of Ohio, have labeled Walz's military service as "stolen valor garbage." However, Representative Jake Auchinschloss of Massachusetts has defended Walz, clarifying that he retired from the National Guard in May 2005, two months before his unit received deployment orders in July 2005. Auchinschloss emphasized the importance of addressing these unfounded attacks, recalling the historical context of similar accusations against John Kerry during the 2004 presidential campaign. He noted that the current GOP criticisms are particularly ironic given their support for former President Donald Trump, who received multiple deferments during the Vietnam War and has a history of disparaging veterans. The representative underscored the need for accountability in political discourse regarding military service. Republicans have also accused Walz of misrepresenting his military record, citing a speech where he expressed a desire to ensure that weapons he carried in war are only used in combat. While Walz did not serve in a combat zone, he participated in base protection and training missions in Europe related to the Afghanistan conflict. Veterans involved in the Harris-Walz campaign expressed frustration over these attacks, asserting that all military service is valuable and deserving of respect. The discussion also touched on broader issues of veterans' affairs, including the PACT Act signed by President Joe Biden in 2022, which expands benefits for American veterans, contrasting the records of Biden and Trump on this critical issue.