Governor Tim Walz’s political career has been marred by controversies, but none as disgraceful as his history of stolen valor. While Walz served our country for 24 years—something that deserves recognition—his consistent embellishment of his military service and abandonment of his fellow servicemen are insults to those who served honorably. These actions, compounded by his disrespect for the men and women of the National Guard, reveal a troubling pattern of self-serving deceit and neglect.
The Beginning of the Deception
The story begins in 2004, when Walz stood outside a rally for then-President George W. Bush in Mankato, Minnesota. Walz, claiming to have been denied entry to the event, held up a sign touting himself as an Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) veteran. The problem? Walz was never deployed to Afghanistan. He served in Italy, far from the front lines of OEF, where the real fight was taking place. As veteran Dave Thul rightfully pointed out, “There’s a huge difference between being deployed on a base in Italy and being in the combat zone in Afghanistan.”
Walz has tried to “correct” this over the years by claiming that his unit supported OEF from Italy, but this is a feeble attempt to blur the lines. The Department of Defense does not recognize Italy as a deployment in support of OEF, making his claim categorically false. Furthermore, Walz has taken credit for the valor of the men he commanded since he never earned the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (GWOT-E). By claiming he served in support of OEF, Walz continues to appropriate the bravery of his soldiers for his own political gain.
Misrepresenting His Rank for Political Gain
Walz’s exaggerations don’t stop with his deployment claims. He has repeatedly misrepresented his military rank, often referring to himself as a Command Sergeant Major (CSM), the highest enlisted rank in the National Guard. But the truth is that Walz retired as a Master Sergeant (MSG), one rank lower than the CSM title he’s falsely touted in campaign materials, interviews, and even the official congressional record. Imagine the audacity required to stand on the national stage at the Democratic National Convention and present yourself with a rank you never earned.
This is not a minor discrepancy. For veterans, rank is a reflection of hard work, discipline, and sacrifice. Misrepresenting your rank is not just lying—it’s stolen valor, pure and simple.
A History of Abandoning His Fellow Soldiers
Walz’s dishonesty goes beyond self-aggrandizement. In 2006, as his battalion was preparing for deployment to Iraq, Walz chose to retire and run for Congress instead. Rather than standing shoulder-to-shoulder with his fellow guardsmen in a time of need, Walz left them without their superior officer. This decision shows where his true priorities lie—his political career, not the well-being of his fellow soldiers.
Walz’s embellishments don’t end there. In a recently uncovered public statement, he claimed, “We can make sure those weapons of war that I carried in war are only carried in war.” This statement is yet another exaggeration, since he never served in an actual combat zone. These kinds of claims erode the public’s trust and dishonor those who truly carried weapons in combat.
And when it came time to lead as Governor of Minnesota, Walz again turned his back on his troops. During the George Floyd riots in 2020, as Minneapolis descended into chaos, Walz delayed the deployment of the National Guard for days, contributing to the widespread destruction and violence. When he finally spoke about the National Guard, he had the gall to refer to them as “19-year-olds who are cooks,” downplaying their readiness and disrespecting their service.
Ignoring the Heroes of Task Force Bastard
Walz’s pattern of disrespect came to a head in September 2024, when the Minnesota National Guard’s 1-194th Armor—also known as Task Force Bastard—was awarded the prestigious Presidential Unit Citation (PUC) for their heroic actions during the evacuation of Kabul in 2021. The PUC is the highest honor a unit can receive for valorous service in combat operations, a historic achievement that should have been celebrated by the Commander-in-Chief of Minnesota’s National Guard.
Yet, Walz couldn’t be bothered to attend the ceremony. He was invited, but he never showed up, nor did he acknowledge the incredible bravery of the men under his command. One soldier told me, “It felt like one last betrayal.” After years of embellishing his own service for political gain, Walz didn’t even have the decency to honor the real heroes of Afghanistan—the men who risked their lives, and in some cases, paid the ultimate price.
A Legacy of Lies and Disrespect
Governor Walz’s record is a stark reminder of the dangers of putting politics before principle. His repeated acts of stolen valor, his abandonment of his fellow soldiers, and his outright disrespect for the National Guard prove that he is unfit to lead. While Walz may continue to embellish his military career to win favor with voters, the men and women who served alongside him know the truth. And the American people deserve to know it too.
Tim Walz’s story is not just about one man’s lies—it’s about the broader issue of integrity in public service. We must demand better from those who seek to lead us. Our military, our veterans, and our country deserve leaders who honor their word, their service, and their fellow Americans. Walz, unfortunately, falls far short of that standard.
Dustin Grage is a Minnesota-based journalist, GOP strategist, and conservative activist. Stay updated on his latest work and subscribe for future contributions at www.dustingrage.com. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @GrageDustin.