CHICAGO – Democratic vice presidential candidate and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz should lean into his military service record in the face of increasing attacks from Republicans, some Democrats here say. 

Republican criticism of Walz’s military service has picked up steam as he was set to take the stage Wednesday night to deliver his vice presidential acceptance speech. Republican nominee Donald Trump’s campaign issued a letter to Walz Wednesday morning signed by 50 congressional Republican veterans, arguing he had “demonstrated your unwillingness to lead in time of war and a lack of honor through your blatant misrepresentations” about his military record. 

Walz served in the Army National Guard for 24 years, rising to the rank of command sergeant major. He deployed to Italy in August 2003 and was based in Vicenza, Italy, and his unit “supported security missions at various locations in Europe and Turkey” before returning to Minnesota in April 2004, according to  Lt. Col. Kristen Augé, a spokeswoman for the Minnesota National Guard. 

In May 2005, Walz retired from the Minnesota National Guard ahead of his 2006 successful House campaign. Months later, his battalion was deployed to Iraq, a fact that Republicans have jumped on. Walz’s opponent, GOP vice presidential nominee and Ohio Sen. JD Vance, has accused Walz of lying about his military service.  

The battalion was notified about a possible deployment to Iraq in March 2005, and received an official mobilization order in July 2005, after Walz retired, Politifact reported. Minnesota National Guard records do not indicate when Walz made his retirement request, according to the organization. 

“When America asked you to lead your troops into War, you turned your back on your troops,” the congressional Republicans wrote in their letter. “You have violated the trust of our brothers and sisters in arms.” 

Walz, the top Democrat on the Veterans’ Affairs Committee when he was in the House, defended himself at a rally last week in Louisiana, after which 19 congressional Democrats who are veterans released a statement supporting him. 

“I’m proud of my service to this country,” Walz said at the rally. “And I firmly believe you should never denigrate another person’s service record. Anyone brave enough to put on that uniform for our great country, including my opponent, I just have a few simple words: Thank you for your service and sacrifice.” 

The Republicans listed two other complaints about Walz’s characterization of his service. The letter highlighted that Walz claimed he was a “retired command sergeant major,” when he retired at a lower rank. 

While he served as a command sergeant major, Walz retired as a master sergeant in 2005 because he did not complete additional U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy coursework, according to the Minnesota National Guard. 

The Republicans were also upset about a Walz comment that he carried weapons “in war” when he did not serve in combat. 

The Trump campaign focused on Walz’s military record and the Biden administration’s foreign policy during its counter-programming event Wednesday at Chicago’s Trump Tower. Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., said Walz has lied about his service for political gain. 

“As the commander and command sergeant major, when you take that command, you are going when called,” he said. “You lead your men and women in combat, and you certainly don’t shirk away for political gain.” 

Democratic response 

Walz should not shy away from highlighting his service in the campaign, Rep. Seth Moulton, also a veteran, said in an interview. 

“Tim Walz needs to embrace his impressive record of service to the country, and not be intimidated by attacks by Republicans who are trying to repeat their Swift boat attacks against John Kerry,” the Massachusetts Democrat said, referencing the 2004 Republican attacks on then-presidential candidate Kerry’s service record. 

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, another veteran, defended Walz at a Tuesday meeting of the Democratic Party’s Veterans and Military Families Council. 

“The only appropriate thing to say about the service of another veteran, from a veteran to a veteran, is thank you for your service,” Buttigieg said. “And our friends on the other side need reminding of that right now.” 

Walz’s wife, Gwen, appeared at the meeting as well and said her daughter Hope was 2-1/2 years old when her husband was deployed to Europe to support the war in Afghanistan. Gwen Walz said she put candy in a jar and took a piece out every day, telling Hope her father would be home when the jar ran out. 

She said that after her husband returned from Italy, the two of them were questioning the direction of the country and decided to volunteer for the Kerry campaign. Walz then decided to run for Congress to try to make a difference, she said, and later rose to become governor of Minnesota. 

“We have never lost a political race, and we don’t intend to start now,” she said. 

Briana Reilly contributed to this report.