Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, now running for vice president alongside Kamala Harris, has once again been caught embellishing his past to make himself look better. This time, the controversy centers around a claim he made years ago about receiving an award from the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce—an award that, as it turns out, he never received. This isn’t just a one-time mistake. It’s part of a pattern that shows Walz as a serial liar who simply cannot be trusted.
The Nebraska Chamber of Commerce Controversy
Back in 2006, when Tim Walz was first running for Congress in Minnesota, he boasted on his campaign website that he had received an award from the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce in 1993 for his work with the business community. Sounds impressive, right? The problem is, it’s not true.
A letter from Barry L. Kennedy, then-president of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce, makes it clear that Walz never received any such award. Kennedy’s letter, dated November 1, 2006, states, “We researched this matter and can confirm that you have not been the recipient of any award from the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce.” Kennedy went on to respectfully request that Walz remove any reference to their organization from his biography, as it could be seen as an endorsement of his candidacy.
This letter resurfaced recently, and it’s no surprise that it’s causing a stir. Walz’s campaign tried to pass off the claim as a “typographical error,” but the truth is, this is just another example of Walz trying to make himself look better by stretching the truth.
A Pattern of Deception
Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time Tim Walz has been caught exaggerating or misrepresenting his past. One of the most troubling examples is his military career. Walz served 24 years in the Army National Guard before retiring in 2005. During his time in the military, Walz was promoted to the rank of Command Sergeant Major after a deployment to Italy in 2004. However, he didn’t complete the necessary coursework at the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy to retain this rank in retirement. Instead, he retired as a Master Sergeant, one rank lower.
Yet, Walz has repeatedly referred to himself as a “retired Command Sergeant Major,” misleading the public about his true rank. This kind of dishonesty is especially troubling when it comes to something as important as military service. Walz’s attempt to portray himself as a higher-ranking officer than he really was is not just misleading—it’s an insult to those who have truly earned that rank.
Walz’s Track Record of Misrepresentation
Walz’s pattern of exaggerating his achievements and misrepresenting his past doesn’t stop with his military service or the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce award. Over the years, he has been accused by a number of veterans and other critics of embellishing his background to boost his political career.
For instance, in the 2006 Nebraska Chamber of Commerce incident, Walz’s campaign initially claimed that the award was actually from the Nebraska Junior Chamber of Commerce, also known as the Jaycees. They brushed off the mistake as a simple “typographical error.” But even if that were true, it’s hard to believe that a mistake of this magnitude could be made by someone who supposedly values honesty and transparency.
Moreover, Walz has been slammed by his former battalion commander and other military officials for his misleading statements about his military service. John Kolb, who served as a lieutenant colonel of the 1st Battalion, 125th Field Artillery from 2005 to 2007, recently issued a scathing message criticizing Walz for portraying himself as a retired Command Sergeant Major. Kolb’s words are damning: “It is an affront to the Noncommissioned Officer Corps that he continues to glom onto the title.”
Why Trust Matters
Trust is a crucial quality for any leader, especially someone who is running for one of the highest offices in the land. Yet, Tim Walz has shown time and again that he is willing to twist the truth to serve his own interests. Whether it’s inflating his military rank or falsely claiming an award he never received, Walz has demonstrated that he can’t be trusted to tell the truth.
As voters, we have the right to expect honesty from our leaders. We deserve to know that the people who represent us are telling the truth about their backgrounds, their accomplishments, and their qualifications. But with Tim Walz, that’s not what we’re getting. Instead, we’re getting a politician who has repeatedly shown that he’s more interested in promoting himself than in being honest with the public.
Final Thoughts
It’s clear that Tim Walz is a serial liar who can’t be trusted. From exaggerating his military service to falsely claiming an award he never received, Walz has shown that he is willing to say whatever it takes to get ahead. As he campaigns for vice president, voters need to keep this in mind. Can we really trust someone like Tim Walz to tell the truth when it matters most? The answer is clear: No, we can’t.
We’d love to hear your thoughts! Please comment below.
Jimmy
h/t: Steadfast and Loyal
Leave a Comment