In the last 24 hours, Republicans have initiated a disinformation campaign that is untrue, misleading, and unsuitable for a presidential campaign. The allegations revolve around the unfounded notion that Vice President Kamala Harris consented to consider an arms embargo on Israel following discussions with pro-Palestinian activists who seek to alter U.S. policy towards its ally amidst the Gaza conflict.
On Wednesday, Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, interacted with the crowd along the rope line, shaking hands and engaging in brief conversations. During this time, she had a concise dialogue with The Uncommitted National Movement. The movement’s founders, Layla Elabed and Abbas Alawieh, mentioned that they briefly discussed their concerns regarding the U.S. supplying weapons to Israel during the Gaza conflict with both Harris and Walz.
Alawieh informed the press in Detroit on Thursday that he and Elabed had specifically requested a meeting to address the proposal for an arms embargo on Israel. Harris expressed her openness to discuss the well-being of Gaza’s inhabitants, while underscoring her dedication to the existing agreement endorsed by the Biden administration, Israel, and the United Nations.
A senior aide to Vice President Harris clarified on Thursday that the Democratic presidential nominee does not support an arms embargo on Israel. This clarification followed claims by the Uncommitted National Movement that she was open to discussing a total ban on U.S. weapons deliveries. The aide stressed that engagement with Muslim and Palestinian communities about their concerns should not be interpreted as backing for an arms embargo, noting that it was a brief conversation of five to seven minutes, not a formal meeting.
The Vice President’s willingness to consider all perspectives on the Israel-Gaza conflict, especially regarding the casualties on both sides, aligns with her recent engagement with Muslim and Palestinian community in Michigan. However, Harris has consistently emphasized that her primary focus is to collaborate with President Joe Biden, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and coalition partners to secure a ceasefire agreement that encompasses a hostage exchange, a proposal that has been under consideration since May 31st.
While the bogus report concerning Harris and her stance on the arms embargo was circulated by typical far-right media outlets, JD Vance criticized Tim Walz’s service record. Both Vance and Walz are military veterans; however, the GOP vice-presidential candidate unfairly attacked his Democratic counterpart over the allegation of not accompanying his unit into combat in Iraq—an accusation that was both inaccurate and unjust.
“When Tim Walz was asked by his country to go to Iraq, you know what he did?” Vance, a Marine Corps veteran who served in Iraq, said at a press conference. “He dropped out of the Army and allowed his unit to go without him, a fact that he’s been criticized for aggressively by a lot of the people that he served with. I think it’s shameful.”
This is an outdated and discredited narrative that Republicans have utilized against him during his congressional campaign and subsequently in his gubernatorial race in Minnesota. A handful of his former comrades were eager to propagate this falsehood, yet it was refuted consistently and was undoubtedly known to the Harris campaign prior to his being added to the ticket.
Before delving into details, it’s important to acknowledge that neither Vance nor Walz saw combat duty. Both men served honorably—Vance for four years and Walz for twenty-four—and utilized the G.I. Bill to further their education. As such, they deserve our gratitude for their service to the country.
Walz started his service in the Army National Guard at 17, just one week after graduating from high school in 1981 and since he was not yet 18, his father had to sign a consent form for him to enlist. This marked the beginning of a 24-year career in the National Guard, with assignments in both the Nebraska and Minnesota Guard.
Over his 24-year service, he was stationed in Arkansas, Texas, the Arctic Circle, New Ulm, Minnesota, among other locations. His training was in heavy artillery. He served in disaster response roles after floods and tornadoes and had overseas deployments. In 1989, he was honored as Nebraska’s Citizen-Soldier of the Year.
In August 2003, Walz was deployed with the Minnesota National Guard to Vicenza, Italy, for a nine-month tenure with the European Security Force as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. He received the Army Commendation Medal and two Army Achievement Medals for his service.
Near the end of his military career, Walz achieved the rank of command sergeant major and briefly served as the senior enlisted soldier in the 1st Battalion, 125th Field Artillery Regiment. He retired from his position on May 15, 2005. For retirement benefits, his rank was adjusted to master sergeant because he did not complete the additional coursework required for a higher rank.
After twenty years of service, at age 41, Walz was eligible for retirement and could have received military disability payments on top of his regular pension due to significant hearing loss in his left ear from heavy artillery drills. Nevertheless, he opted to reenlist for an additional four-year term.
In 2005, Walz retired and declared his congressional candidacy. It is the timing of his leaving the Guard that Vance has accused him of evading service as his platoon was bound for combat in Iraq. However, several critical factors are involved. Walz had filed his retirement paperwork nearly one year before retiring, a standard military procedure. Had his unit been slated for combat at the time of his retirement, the Army could have issued a stop-loss order, requiring him to continue service, which they did not do.
The year 2005 was significant for the Walz family in numerous ways. In his early forties, he and his wife were anticipating the birth of their second child, and his decision to run for Congress was driven by a commitment to improving veterans’ rights. Walz chose to stay close to his wife and pursue a congressional seat, aiming to enhance veterans’ benefits.
In a recent Washington Post interview, Joe Eustice, who served for 34 years in the Guard worked alongside Walz in for over a decade, expressed strong disagreement with Walz’s political views but acknowledged him as a very good man and a dedicated soldier. Eustice refuted claims that Walz shirked combat duties. He noted that in late spring 2005, when Walz opted to retire to enter politics, combat deployment was merely speculative.
During Vance’s four-year service with the Marines, he spent six months in a combat zone in Afghanistan as a press liaison officer and journalist, without engaging in any combat. His four-year commitment to serving our country as a Marine is praiseworthy. However, his critiques of Walz seem to be unfounded and lacking substance.
A closer examination of Walz’s commitment to the military and veterans begins with his first month in Congress, where he secured appointments to the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, the Agriculture Committee, and the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Speaker Nancy Pelosi provided him with a special waiver, enabling him to circumvent the rule that typically restricts new members from serving on more than two committees. Additionally, within the same year, he became a member of the Armed Services Committee, where he, alongside fellow Minnesota Democrat Keith Ellison, opposed President Bush’s plan to increase troop levels in Iraq.
As a congressman, he made significant contributions to veterans’ issues. Here are some key highlights:
- Veterans’ Suicide Prevention: Walz was instrumental in the passage of bipartisan legislation focused on preventing veterans’ suicides, which was enacted into law in 2015..
- House Veterans’ Affairs Committee: He held the position of ranking Democrat on the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, dedicating his efforts to a range of initiatives aimed at supporting veterans.
- Advocacy for the National Guard and Reserves :As the co-chair of the House National Guard and Reserve Caucus, Walz championed the improved integration of the Guard and Reserves into the Pentagon’s strategies.
- Opposition to Military Cuts: He argued against reducing the Army’s troop levels, contending that such cuts would leave the military understaffed and unable to address global threats.
- Repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”: Walz advocated early on for the repeal of the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, which prohibited servicemembers from openly serving as LGBTQ+.
- Veterans and Military Affairs Bill: The Governor of Minnesota enacted a comprehensive veterans and military affairs bill, with the goals of eradicating veteran homelessness and broadening service bonuses for veterans.
Walz’s efforts have significantly impacted the lives of countless veterans. While one might argue that he embellished his resume to appear as if he had achieved a higher rank, questioning his commitment to the military after 24 years in the National Guard is baseless. His record as an effective advocate for veterans, both as a Congressman and as a governor, stands firm.
Washington based CEO & Founder of LJC. Media covering politics, sports, & entertainment A seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director, and podcast host. Digital Director and Washington Bureau Chief at News Talk Florida & The Daily Cable
