Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has made his military service a part of his public image as he seeks to help Kamala Harris win the presidential election in November.
However, his former battalion commander shed light on Harris’ running mate after an interview with Ret. Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas Behrends aired – and it’s not looking good for him.
The National Guard veteran told Fox News’ Laura Ingraham that accusations of stolen valor are “far darker than a lot of people think,” adding that Walz had “used the rank that he never achieved in order to advance his political career.”
Following these public allegations, Walz’s battalion commander John Kolb ripped into the Democrat in a lengthy statement on Facebook.
“I do not regret that Tim Walz retired early from the Minnesota Army National Guard, did not complete the Sergeants Major Academy, broke his enlistment contract or did not successfully complete any assignment as a Sergeant Major,” he wrote. “Unwittingly, he got out of the way for better leadership. Thomas Behrends was the right leader at the right time. He sacrificed to answer the call, leaving his family, business and farming-partner brother to train, lead and care for soldiers.”
Kolb added that “when the demands of service and leadership at the highest level got real,” Walz “chose another path” instead.
Many online were stunned by the remarks, and called for further investigative reporting by the mainstream media.
Others noted that it was Walz’ claim to his rank which had caused divisions.
There was also speculation as to how the scandal could impact the race for the White House.
