U.S. Representative Mark Green (R-TN-07) was among 50 Republican veterans serving in the U.S. Congress who sent a letter to Minnesota Governor and Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz condemning his “lies” about his service in the Minnesota National Guard.
The letter, organized by former President Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign, was led by U.S. Representative Brian Mast (R-FL-21), a retired U.S. Army Staff Sergeant who also chairs the Veterans and Military Families for Trump coalition.
Walz, who served in the Minnesota National Guard for 24 years, was condemned by the 50 Republicans for referring to himself as a “retired Command Sergeant Major” despite officially retiring as a Master Sergeant in 2005.
“The Office of the Vice President is a position that requires the trust of the American people and a solemn commitment to duty on behalf of the United States of America. As veterans who have served our nation, we feel compelled to address your egregious misrepresentations and urge you to come clean to the American people,” the Republicans wrote to Walz.
The Minnesota Governor has also been criticized for the timing of his retirement from the military, which has been seen as an alleged effort by Walz to dodge deployment to Iraq.
The lawmakers said Walz’s “lies” when it comes to his military service diminish the “real sacrifices made by veterans who did serve in combat.”
“Military service is not merely a job or a uniform. Those who serve in the Armed Forces endure rigorous training, face perilous situations, and make sacrifices that most civilians can’t comprehend. The honor of wearing the uniform is earned through dedication, bravery, and an unwavering sense of duty. You have displayed none of these characteristics as you have lied your way through a political career launched on the foundation of a title you did not earn and combat deployments you did not take part in,” the Republicans said.
In the case that Walz became vice president, the Republicans said that their “concern stems from the fact that the office of the Vice President is one heartbeat away from becoming the Commander-In-Chief.”
“You’ve already demonstrated your unwillingness to lead in time of war and a lack of honor through your blatant misrepresentations exploiting and co-opting the experiences of America’s combat veterans for personal gain,” the Republicans said.
“As a result, America’s veterans and servicemembers are rightfully concerned about what would happen to them should you ascend to the Presidency. When America asked you to lead your troops into War, you turned your back on your troops. You have violated the trust of our brothers and sisters in arms. Their blood, sweat, and sacrifice are the only reason our nation is able to exist. Until you admit you lied to them, there is no way you can be trusted to serve as Vice President,” the lawmakers added.
Green, the sole lawmaker representing the Volunteer State in the letter, is a retired U.S. Army Major.
Green graduated from West Point and came to Tennessee in his last assignment in the Army as the flight surgeon for the premier special operations aviation regiment.
As a Night Stalker, Green deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan in the War on Terror. Green said his most “memorable mission” was the capture of Saddam Hussein, where he interviewed Hussein for six hours.
During his 24 years in the service between the U.S. Military Academy, active-duty Army, and Army Reserves, Green was awarded the Bronze Star, the Air Medal with V Device for Valor, among others.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
Background Photo “Tim Walz” by Tim Walz.
