GOP rep lies about military rank in letter condemning Walz’s record

One of the 50 Republican lawmakers — all veterans — who issued a letter to 2024 Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz earlier this week "does not hold" the title he claims in the letter.

Washington Post senior political reporter Aaron Blake wrote Wednesday via X:

Trump campaign sent a letter featuring >50 vets criticizing Walz for claiming to be a 'Retired Command Sergeant Major.'

One listed signatory: 'Ronny Jackson, U.S. Representative (TX-13); Rear Admiral - U.S. Navy (Ret.)'

But Jackson does not hold that title. He was demoted.

The Texas Tribune reported in March that while Jackson, "the former White House physician turned GOP congressman, regularly touts his military bona fides," the Texas lawmaker "is no longer a retired admiral. The Navy demoted him in July 2022 following a damaging Pentagon inspector general’s report that substantiated allegations about his inappropriate behavior as a White House physician, a previously unreported decision confirmed by a current defense official and a former U.S. official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive personnel move."

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Furthermore, according to the Tribune, "Jackson is now a retired Navy captain" — which the the defense official noted is "a demotion that carries significant financial burden in addition to the social stigma of stripped rank in military circles."

Per Politico, the GOP letter "is signed by members of the House and Senate across the spectrum of Republicans, including longtime die-hard supporters of former President Donald Trump and more moderate members from competitive House districts."

The congressional leaders wrote: "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."

Politico reports, "The Harris campaign early on referred to Walz as a 'retired Command Sergeant Major,' a rank he did achieve but was moved down to master sergeant before retiring in 2005. The campaign later updated his online biography."

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The news outlet also notes that the Republicans' letter comes after "a statement signed Friday by 18 Democratic military veteran members of Congress defending Walz from attacks on his record."

Politico's full report is available at this link.