LOS ANGELES — Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz addressed critics of his military service record Tuesday, proclaiming pride in serving his country.
"These guys are even attacking me for my record of service. And I just want to say I'm proud to have served my country and I always will be," Walz said to applause at a meeting of AFSCME union members in Los Angeles.
Walz made the comments during his first solo campaign appearance since being named as the Democratic vice presidential running mate to Vice President Kamala Harris.
Republicans, including the vice presidential nominee, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, began questioning Walz's military record shortly after he was named to the ticket, focusing on the timing of Walz's retirement from the National Guard, and his claims about carrying "weapons of war."
KARE 11 and VERIFY have confirmed Walz retired honorably in May 2005, two months before his unit received an alert for mobilization to Iraq.
However, the Harris-Walz campaign has acknowledged that Walz "misspoke" in a 2018 video about "weapons of war that I carried in war.” Walz served 24 years in various Army National Guard units but never served in a combat zone.
Walz did not directly address those questions in his campaign event with AFSCME, but did thank Vance and all veterans for their service to the U.S.
"I firmly believe you should never denigrate another person's service record. Anyone brave enough to put on that uniform for our great country, including my opponent, I just have a few simple words, thank you for your service and sacrifice," Walz said.
The Associated Press and VERIFY contributed to this report.