CNN commentator Brianna Keilar downplayed J.D. Vance’s military service while defending Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who faces scrutiny over his military record.
Questions have arisen regarding Walz’s retirement from the Minnesota National Guard just before a deployment to Iraq and allegations that he misrepresented his rank and military experiences during his campaign.
Keilar pointed out that Vance, who served as a public affairs specialist and did not see combat, may not be the best messenger on military issues.
“I also think that J.D. Vance as a messenger on this may be an imperfect messenger because we have, as you introduced him, as a combat correspondent, which was what his title was. But when you dig a little deeper into that, he was a public affairs specialist, someone who did not see combat, which certainly the title, combat correspondent, kind of gives you a different impression,” Keilar said. “So he may be the imperfect messenger on that.”
Vance responded on social media, criticizing Keilar for trivializing military service.
“It’s easy to sit in the comfort and safety of a @CNN studio and trivialize the service of countless men and women who risked their lives. I served with some of the people mentioned in this thread,” Vance wrote. “I served with some of the people mentioned in this thread. I miss them all very much. Shameful of @brikeilarcnn to slander an entire MOS.”
Additionally, retired Command Sergeants Major have accused Walz of embellishing his military career and abandoning his unit before deployment, asserting that he could have run for Congress without retiring.
“Tim Walz has embellished and selectively omitted facts and circumstances of his military career for years,” a 2018 letter to the West Central Tribune read. “We, retired Command Sergeants Major of the Minnesota National Guard, feel it is our duty and responsibility to bring forth the truth as we know it concerning his service record. So, we have put together a timeline of his service post 9/11.”
“His excuse to other leaders was that he needed to retire in order to run for congress,” the letter read. “Which is false, according to a Department of Defense Directive, he could have run and requested permission from the Secretary of Defense before entering active duty; as many reservists have.”
“If he had retired normally and respectfully, you would think he would have ensured his retirement documents were correctly filled out and signed, and that he would have ensured he was reduced to Master Sergeant for dropping out of the academy. Instead he waited for the paperwork to catch up to him. His official retirement document states, SOLDIER NOT AVAILABLE FOR SIGNATURE.”
CNN has acknowledged that Walz has used vague language about his military service, leading to further questions about his claims.
