Sen. J. D. Vance (R-Ohio ), the 2024 Republican vice presidential nominee, doubled down on his criticism of Gov. Tim Walz (D-Minn. ) in a recent CNN interview, arguing that Vice President Kamala Harris ‘ running mate “lied about his service for political gain”.
CNN host Dana Bash recently questioned Vance about his condemnation of Walz’s says about his day serving in the Army National Guard during an exam on the program’s State of the Union. Vance explained that he has no criticized Walz’s military service but rather has criticized the way the Democrat government has “lied” about his military service.
” I recognize his services, and I previously criticized what Tim Walz did when he was in the martial”, Vance told Bash. ” I criticized his pension decision. And most important, Dana, I criticized his lying about his own history”.
Walz was demoted before retiring as a king commander in 2005, according to the Minnesota National Guard last week because he failed to complete more courses at the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy. The speech from the Minnesota governor contrasts with previous claims that the governor had retired as a control sergeant major.
Walz was originally referred to as “absolutely shameful” for allegedly leaving his National Guard regiment before the device was deployed to Iraq. Vance recently criticized Walz as “absolutely terrible.”
READ MORE: Nat’l Guard confirms Harris ‘ VP was demoted
During the new CNN meeting, Vance said,” This is a man who’s captured on video saying,’ I carried a gun in battle.’ He previously engaged in combat. This is a person who’s been captured on video as additional people say,’ He’s an Afghanistan veteran,’ ‘ He’s a former of a war’, nodding in agreement instead of saying,’ No, no, no, I did serve my country, and I did it honestly, but I always went to a battle zone.'”
” I’m not criticizing Tim Walz’s service”, Vance added. ” I’m voicing my opposition to the fact that he lied about his political goals.”
Vance told Bash that despite being glad of many of the things he did for the United States Marine Corps during his own military assistance, he “never lied” or “overstated” his service in order to win an election. ” I think that’s what Tim Walz did, that’s what I was criticizing”, Vance said. ” And yes, I do think it’s shocking habits”.
