In a stunning rebuke, four retired military leaders who served with Democratic vice-presidential nominee Tim Walz publicly criticized him for allegedly misrepresenting his military service. Appearing on “The Megyn Kelly Show,” the veterans — Tom Behrends, Paul Herr, Tom Schilling, and Rodney Tow — delivered a scathing assessment of the Minnesota governor, labeling him a “habitual liar,” “deserter,” and “coward.”
Accusations of Stolen Valor
Walz has come under fire for claims about his military background, including assertions that he “carried” weapons “in war,” despite never being deployed to a combat zone. Additionally, Walz has been introduced as a former “command sergeant major,” although records show he never officially retired at that rank. This has led to growing concerns about “stolen valor,” a term used to describe individuals who falsely claim or exaggerate military service for personal gain.
Defenders Push Back
Supporters of Walz and Vice President Kamala Harris have vehemently denied these allegations. Congressman Adam Smith (D-Wash.) defended Walz during an earlier segment on Kelly’s show, calling the accusations “absolute lies.”
“He did not get out of the National Guard because he didn’t want to deploy,” Smith said. “To claim that is an absolute lie, 100%.”
Smith further challenged Walz’s critics, stating, “If you are a veteran and you are saying publicly that Tim Walz decided to get out because he didn’t want to go to Iraq, then you are saying something that you cannot possibly know to be true.”
Veterans Refute Claims, Stand Firm
Despite Smith’s defense, the four retired National Guardsmen remain adamant in their criticism, arguing that Walz, as a leader in the unit, would have had early knowledge of deployment plans. Paul Herr, one of the veterans on the show, described Walz’s conduct in blunt terms.
“He’s a habitual liar,” Herr told Kelly. “He lies about everything. He lies about stuff that doesn’t make sense.”
The veterans continued to dismantle Walz’s character, with Herr adding, “It’s just one habitual lie after another, and they keep piling up.”
Herr went on to emphasize that Walz’s behavior exemplifies the reason for stolen valor accusations. “He is an exact result and why we have stolen valor. People make decisions that are cowardly, and they come back, and they try to lead vicariously by robbing other people’s — all the other soldiers and all the benefits that we did and all the sacrifices, they want a piece of that.”
In a moment of reflection, Herr summed up his disdain for Walz’s actions, remarking, “Fear is a reaction; bravery is a decision.”
‘Deserter’ Allegation Adds Fuel to Fire
Behrends, another veteran speaking on the program, did not mince words when he described Walz as a “deserter.”
“He left his post. He left his duty station, and he walked off into the sunset,” Behrends stated. “I say ‘slithered’ a lot of times. That he slithered out of the Armory, but he walked into the sunset. Never turned around, never had any intention of ever coming back to the military. He was gone.”
Behrends also criticized Walz’s subsequent political decisions, claiming, “He took his uniform, and he literally turned it inside out and went off into whatever other realm he did, which was vote against anything that went on in Iraq.”
In closing, Behrends issued a cutting final remark: “GTMO would be a good place for him to end up,” referencing the notorious Guantanamo Bay Detention Camp in Cuba.
Conclusion
As the accusations against Walz continue to unfold, the stark contrast between his defenders and his former comrades paints a complicated picture of a man who once wore the uniform. Whether Walz’s military career was a case of misrepresentation or simply misunderstood, one thing is clear: the voices of those who served with him are not willing to remain silent.
