Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) sent a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Thursday expressing his “grave concern” with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s representation of his military service and demanding more information about the Democratic vice presidential nominee’s record.
Banks’s inquiry, seeking clarity about multiple questions surrounding Walz’s military record, adds to the intense scrutiny from Republicans about the governor’s service since he was tapped to run on the Democratic presidential ticket with Vice President Harris.
Banks, a Navy veteran and chair of the House Armed Services Military Personnel Subcommittee, said in the letter that the American people “deserve transparency,” especially on the military records of an elected official.
“Misrepresentation and deceit intended to mislead the public about their service erode the integrity of our military and impact all Americans who choose to serve,” he wrote.
Walz served 24 years in the Minnesota Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion in the 125th Field Artillery before he retired in 2005.
Republicans, however, have criticized him for retiring from service to run for Congress shortly before his unit was sent to Iraq. Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), former President Trump’s vice presidential running mate, attacked Walz on the issue just a day after the governor was tapped to run with Harris, opening the floodgates to a stream of GOP criticism.
Supporters of Walz say he was in his 40s at the time and preparing for a new direction in life and had submitted his papers months before his unit was deployed. They also argue his unit was fully staffed.
Banks suggested in his letter that Walz knew of the deployment in early 2005, months before he submitted retirement papers, and also questioned the Minnesota governor’s statements about his role in Operation Enduring Freedom during the Afghanistan War.
Walz has also been criticized for using his rank of command sergeant major in retirement, which he did earn before dropping down to a lower rank when he retired because he did not complete the necessary training.
The Harris campaign tweaked his biography to remove a reference to him retiring with the rank of command sergeant major after the scrutiny, Politico reported.
Banks demanded information about when Walz’s former unit was first notified of its deployment to Iraq in 2005 and whether Walz could have run for Congress while on deployment. He also asked where Walz served and at what rank he retired.
“I treat these questions with the utmost gravity,” Banks wrote. “Misrepresentation of service and stolen valor allegations tarnish the integrity and service of all who have answered the call to serve.”