Gov. Walz Defends Military Record Amid GOP Criticism at Union Event
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz addressed attacks on his military service during an AFSCME convention speech. He defended his National Guard career and criticized Trump and Vance's labor policies.
Tim Walz, Minnesota's governor, addressed recent criticisms of his military service record during a speech at the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) convention. The event, held on August 13, 2024, marked Walz's first solo campaign appearance since being selected as Vice President Kamala Harris's running mate.
Walz, who served in the Army National Guard for over two decades, responded to attacks from former president Donald Trump and his allies, including running mate Senator JD Vance. The governor emphasized the importance of respecting military service, stating, "I firmly believe you should never degenerate another person's service record."
The controversy stems from Walz's decision to leave the National Guard in 2005 to pursue a congressional career. Some former colleagues expressed disappointment about his departure as the unit prepared for deployment to Iraq. Walz, however, defended his choice, explaining that he felt a new call to serve his country in Congress.
Addressing the scrutiny, Walz shared his personal history with the military. He enlisted in the Army National Guard at 17, inspired by his father's service in the Korean War. The governor proudly stated, "I am damn proud of my service to this country."
The Harris-Walz ticket is working to strengthen its relationship with organized labor. This effort comes in the wake of polls suggesting a potential decline in working-class voter support for the Democratic ticket. In response, Harris recently proposed raising the minimum wage and eliminating taxes on tips for service and hospitality workers.
Walz took the opportunity to criticize his opponents' labor records. He questioned Vance's contributions to workers' rights and humorously speculated about Trump's ability to operate a McFlurry machine at McDonald's. The governor asserted, "The only thing those two guys know about working people is how to work to take advantage of them."
"In 2005, I felt the call of duty again, this time giving service to my country in the halls of Congress. My students inspired me to run for that office, and I was proud to make it to Washington. I was a member of the Veterans Affairs Committee and a champion of our men and women in uniform. I'm going to say it again as clearly as I can, I am damn proud of my service to this country."
The governor's address to AFSCME, one of the largest public sector unions in the United States, underscores the ongoing battle for blue-collar voter support between the Harris and Trump campaigns. As the election approaches, both sides are intensifying their efforts to appeal to working-class Americans and secure crucial union endorsements.
