The Star Tribune (whose publisher was formerly in Walz’s cabinet) along with most of the media is totally distorting this controversy in order to give cover. There are a few separate controversies to understand here.

▪️The stolen valor issue isn’t about his retirement. It has to do with several instances he presented himself as being in war when he wasn’t. Particularly the quote, “the weapons of war, I carried in war.” This was a quote used and highlighted by the Harris campaign! Clearly he was presenting himself as a combat veteran in order to push gun control. For the Strib and other media to ignore this is totally dishonest.

▪️The issue with his retirement is a bit more complex. The media is pushing the fact that his unit was notified of deployment after he put in his retirement as proof he didn’t dodge. But leadership typically know about deployments way in advance of official notification. So it’s likely Walz knew prior to his retirement. But no proof that I know yet.

▪️Adding to this is his going to training to become a command sergeant major right before his retirement. To check the box of reaching that position, but then retiring before actually utilizing it in any way. And potentially avoiding deployment to boot as a leader. This isn’t the smoking gun like the stolen valor thing, but might become so if people dig into it.

▪️Imo, this is going to be a big problem for Walz as, while the media will try to cover for him, people will keep pushing this and potentially force him to answer the unforgivable sin of why he pretended to be in war. For those like me, who didn’t serve, it’s a little bit inside baseball, but veterans gossip like crazy and aren’t likely to let it go.