Tim Walz said he carried weapons ‘in war' in resurfaced clip, critics point out it's ‘absolutely false’

Kamala Harris’ running mate Tim Walz once claimed that he carried weapons “in war,” and a video of him making the remarks has resurfaced.

Published on: Aug 8, 2024, 18:59:23 IST

By Sumanti Sen

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Kamala Harris’ running mate Tim Walz once claimed that he carried weapons “in war,” and a video of him making the remarks has resurfaced. The Minnesota governor made the comment in 2018 while counselling a crowded room about gun violence.

Tim Walz said he carried weapons ‘in war' in resurfaced clip (Photo by JEFF KOWALSKY / AFP) (AFP)

What did Tim Walz say?

“We can research the impacts of gun violence. We can make sure those weapons of war, that I carried in war, are only carried in war,” Walz said in the clip.

However, critics quickly found out that Walz never really served in a combat zone. He retired from the National Guard in 2005.

“Walz did make a comment speaking to a group, he’s done it a couple of times, where he has used language that has suggested that he carried weapons in a fighting situation,” CNN’s Jake Foreman said.

“I know from coming from a military family there is a difference between being in a combat area, being involved at a time of war, and actually being in a position where people are shooting at you,” he added. “There is no evidence that at any time Governor Walz was in a position of being shot at, and some of his language could easily be seen to suggest he was, so that is absolutely false.”

Recently, JD Vance during a recent campaign in Michigan accused Walz of using “stolen valor.” “He said we shouldn’t allow weapons that I used in war to be on America’s streets,” Vance said. “Well, I wonder. Tim Walz, when were you ever in war?”

“What bothers me about Tim Walz is the stolen valor garbage. Do not pretend to be something that you’re not,” he added.

Meanwhile, insiders claimed that Harris chose Walz as her running mate after he reassured the vice president that he was “not angling” for the top job. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro was widely considered the favourite for the ticket. However, Walz’s loyalty reportedly gave him an edge over Shapiro.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sumanti Sen
Sumanti Sen covers everything that’s happening in the US, from politics to entertainment, but her expertise lies in covering crime news. She has comprehensively chronicled the Idaho student murders, the Laken Riley and Iryna Zarutska cases, and the killing of Charlie Kirk, among other incidents. Over the years, she has interviewed several victims/families of victims of crimes seeking justice. She digs up stories that might otherwise remain unheard, and does her bit to ensure that victims and survivors’ voices are heard. Sumanti’s many years of experience also include interviews with Hamas attack survivors and mental health experts, among others. Her coverage of the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel and interviews with survivors of the tragedy, coupled with her other works including the Titan submersible coverage, earned her the Digi Journo of the Quarter award during her first year at Hindustan Times. Sumanti actively tracks missing person cases in the United States, and peruses Reddit and other social media platforms to bring to light cases that frequently elude public attention. She has extensively covered the disappearances of Nancy Guthrie, Thomas Medlin, Beau Mann, and Sudiksha Konanki, among others. When not at work, you will either find her with her novels, or with her beloved rescue pooches.Read More

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