A retired Army sergeant first class has raised concerns regarding Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s repeated visits to China during his time in the National Guard.

Tom Shilling, who served with Walz, expressed his alarm at the number of trips he took to China and questioned the potential security implications, given Walz’s role in a unit dealing with classified material as Breitbart reports.

Shilling’s statements have added to a growing conversation about the governor’s activities prior to entering politics.

Walz Faces Criticism for China Travel

Walz’s military career began in 1981 when he joined the National Guard. During that time, he traveled to China on multiple occasions, starting in the late 1980s. His first documented visit occurred between 1989 and 1990, and he made additional trips in 1993 and 1994. According to Walz, some of these trips were funded by the Chinese government.

Shilling, along with three other veterans, publicly criticized Walz on The Megyn Kelly Show, where they accused him of lying about his retired rank and avoiding deployment to Iraq by retiring before his unit was sent overseas. However, the primary focus of their concerns was Walz’s numerous trips to China, which they found suspicious, particularly given China’s geopolitical significance and the ongoing tensions between the U.S. and China.

Voicing his dismay, Schilling noted that Walz had traveled to China approximately 30 times during and after his time in the National Guard. The veteran questioned how such frequent travel could go unnoticed or unexamined, especially given the sensitive nature of his unit’s operations, which involved classified artillery.

Concerns About Security and Clearances

Security experts have also weighed in, stating that military personnel with security clearances are required to report any travel to hostile countries like China before it occurs. While it remains unclear whether Walz held a security clearance at the time of his travels, the fact that he was involved in a National Guard unit handling classified material has raised eyebrows.

Walz has confirmed his trips, which included a honeymoon to China in 1994 with his wife. The couple continued to visit the country over the years, establishing a small business that arranged summer tours for students to visit China. Walz has not responded publicly to the concerns raised by Shilling and other veterans.

Congress Investigates Walz’s Travel History

The issue has garnered the attention of Congress, with House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer leading an investigation into Walz’s China visits. Comer has requested information from the FBI about any potential security risks associated with the governor’s travels and whether these trips were properly documented. However, as of now, the FBI has not responded to the request, which had a deadline of August 30.

In addition, Jim Banks, chairman of the House Armed Services Military Personnel Subcommittee, has reached out to the Pentagon for clarity on whether Walz held a security clearance during his trips and whether his travel raised any red flags at the time. Like Comer, Banks has not yet received any answers.

Veterans Call for Further Scrutiny

Shilling has not been alone in his criticism. Tom Behrends, another veteran who served with Walz, echoed the call for more information, stating that if Walz had indeed “sold out” his Guard unit by abandoning them before deployment, it raised serious questions about his loyalty and trustworthiness at a national level.

Behrends’ comments reflect broader concerns that some veterans share about the former National Guard member’s behavior both in and out of uniform. The combination of accusations regarding Walz’s alleged false claims about his rank and his extensive travel to China has fueled calls for greater transparency.

Growing Suspicion Over 30 China Trips

Shilling emphasized that the volume of Walz’s trips to China could not be ignored, especially given the geopolitical tensions between the United States and China. His remarks about the situation pointed to a larger issue that he believed should be addressed, particularly in the context of national security.

“The thing that alarms me the most on this,” Shilling said, “is that he’s been to China 30 times. He’s a high-ranking person, and in Nebraska, they had an artillery unit dealing with classified stuff.” His words have resonated with many who share similar concerns about China’s influence on American politicians.

Final Investigations Remain Pending

As the investigation continues, questions surrounding Walz’s China trips remain unanswered. The governor has acknowledged the trips but has not yet provided details that would quell the suspicions raised by Shilling, Behrends, and others. In the meantime, Congress awaits responses from both the FBI and the Pentagon to determine whether any security violations occurred.

While no formal charges or accusations have been leveled against Walz, the inquiry into his travel history suggests that his actions during his military career will continue to be a subject of scrutiny for some time.

Conclusion

Veterans have raised concerns about Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s 30 trips to China during his time in the National Guard, leading to an investigation by Congress.

Tom Shilling, one of the veterans, called the trips suspicious, while House Oversight Chairman James Comer and others await answers from the FBI and Pentagon about potential security risks.

As questions remain unanswered, the governor’s past actions continue to be examined by former comrades and government officials alike.