Four retired military leaders have publicly criticized Democratic presidential nominee Gov. Tim Walz, accusing him of inflating his military record and avoiding deployment to Iraq.

The allegations that Walz is a "habitual liar," made during an interview on The Megyn Kelly Show that aired Monday, highlight a pattern of dishonesty that the leaders claim extends beyond his military career and that some say could sink Kamala Harris' presidential ambitions, as Breitbart reports.

Walz's Military Record Questioned

In the interview, the retired leaders expressed their concerns about Walz's repeated claims regarding his military service. Walz has often referred to himself as a “retired command sergeant major,” a title that suggests a higher rank than he actually held. In reality, Walz retired as a master sergeant, a discrepancy that has led to significant criticism from those familiar with military ranks and duties.

Retired Minnesota National Guard Command Sergeant Major Paul Herr was particularly vocal in his criticism, labeling Walz a “habitual liar.”

Herr emphasized that this was not an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern in which Walz allegedly lies about various aspects of his past, both military and personal.

False Claims Extend Beyond Military Service

The accusations against Walz go beyond his misrepresentation of rank. Herr and the other retired leaders also pointed out that Walz has made several other misleading statements, particularly regarding his involvement in combat. Despite claims that he carried weapons in war, Walz never deployed to a combat zone, a fact that directly contradicts his public statements.

Herr further criticized Walz for claiming to have been a football coach. According to Herr, Walz was only an assistant coach and was dismissed from his position after being arrested for driving under the influence (DUI). Herr noted that Walz had attempted to evade responsibility by falsely claiming to be deaf at the time of his arrest, a detail that further erodes his credibility.

Campaign Response and Further Controversy

In response to these accusations, the Harris-Walz campaign issued a statement claiming that Walz had simply “misspoke” about his military record. They attributed his misleading statements to grammatical errors and his tendency to speak passionately. However, this explanation has done little to quell the criticism.

Walz's explanation for his misleading statements came during a CNN interview, where he suggested that his words had been misunderstood due to his speaking style. Nevertheless, this attempt to clarify his statements has been met with skepticism, particularly from those who believe that his history of false claims extends beyond mere misunderstandings.

Additional Allegations Surface

Further allegations of dishonesty have also emerged regarding Walz’s personal life. The retired military leaders pointed out that Walz had previously claimed that his children were conceived through in vitro fertilization (IVF).

However, it was later revealed that his wife actually used intrauterine insemination (IUI), a less complex procedure. This revelation has further damaged Walz's credibility, adding to the growing list of concerns about his honesty.

Habitual Pattern of Deception

Herr's criticism of Walz did not stop with these specific instances. He argued that Walz's pattern of dishonesty is pervasive, affecting various aspects of his public and personal life. Herr described Walz as someone who lies about “everything,” even about matters that do not seem to warrant dishonesty.

“He says all these things like, ‘I was a football coach,’” Herr said, referring to one of Walz's many alleged exaggerations. Herr pointed out that Walz’s attempt to cover up the circumstances of his dismissal as an assistant coach only served to highlight his tendency to lie.

Growing Concerns Among Military Veterans

The accusations against Walz have sparked concern among veterans and military personnel, who view honesty and integrity as fundamental values. The retired leaders who spoke out against Walz argue that his misrepresentation of his military service is particularly troubling, given the respect that military service typically commands in American society.

Herr expressed frustration with Walz's continued pattern of dishonesty, noting that the lies seem to accumulate over time. “It’s just one habitual lie after another,” Herr said, emphasizing the difficulty of reconciling Walz's public image with his actual record.

Conclusion

The criticism directed at Gov. Tim Walz by retired military leaders paints a picture of a politician who has repeatedly misrepresented his military service and personal history.

From exaggerating his rank to falsely claiming combat experience, Walz has been accused of a pattern of dishonesty that extends to various aspects of his life.

As the Harris-Walz campaign attempts to mitigate the fallout from these revelations, questions about Walz's integrity continue to loom large, particularly among those who value truthfulness and transparency in public officials.