On Tuesday, there was a public exchange between Vance and Walz regarding the latter's military service during the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union convention. Walz, now known as Kamala Harris' vice-presidential candidate, expressed pride in his service to the country and emphasized the importance of respecting all service members' records. Conversely, Vance accused Walz of misrepresenting his service by suggesting he was unaware of his unit's deployment to Iraq and claimed that Walz avoided combat by resigning just before deployment.
The scrutiny on Walz's military history has intensified, with critics like Vance raising concerns of “stolen valor” and pointing out instances where Walz allegedly did not correct misconceptions about his combat experience. The controversy also extends to a past incident where former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi praised Walz's battlefield service, despite Walz's lack of combat involvement. These allegations have triggered debates and discussions over the accuracy and transparency of Walz’s military record.