Staff Reports
In a classic case of political sleight of hand, the narrative surrounding Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s military retirement is getting a good polishing ahead of his vice presidential run. It seems the Democrats want everyone to believe that Walz was blissfully unaware of his unit’s impending deployment to Iraq when he hung up his uniform in 2005. However, the truth, as it often is, is far messier, and far more inconvenient for the left.
Allan Bonnifield, a fellow service member and Walz supporter, has been vocal about the elephant in the room. He claims Walz was well aware of his unit’s mobilization and that his decision to retire came with full knowledge of their likely deployment to Iraq. This raises the question: was he really retiring to pursue a congressional seat, or was he strategically sidestepping the duty responsibilities that come with military service? One would think that this whimsical maneuvering deserves a little more scrutiny, especially from a candidate looking to take on the responsibilities of the second highest office in the land.
According to reports, although official orders weren’t issued until months after Walz’s retirement, troops, particularly leaders like Walz, usually have a hunch (or a very clear understanding) of what’s coming down the pike long before the rest of the world is privy to it. These so-called “warning orders” are often given several months—in some cases years—in advance, which puts Walz’s retiring just two months before his unit received alert orders in the spotlight. For any veteran, it’s hard to swallow that Walz would have cavalierly brushed off the idea that his unit was gearing up for a trip to the Middle East, especially considering the high stakes involved.
Adding to this circus of contradictions is the Minnesota National Guard’s coy acknowledgment that unofficial notifications do indeed float around long before the official orders hit. It’s almost as if they’re trying to cover for Walz while simultaneously acknowledging that he didn’t just leap into political waters without being well aware of the potential backlash.
Joel Berry, a Marine veteran and editor at the Babylon Bee, chimed in, reiterating that the media is purposefully muddying the waters. He noted that the “warning orders” that units receive before alert orders can provide a clear indication that deployment is on the horizon. So, if the Commander-in-Chief wannabe knew there was a good chance he’d soon be packing his bags for Iraq, it paints a rather different picture of his retirement decision.
Soldier Who Served Under Tim Walz Says He Knew of His Unit’s Upcoming Deployment to Iraq Before Retiring. Walz is a Quitter https://t.co/VJsTG4nA6b
— “ TRUTH Speaker” (@FreeAdvice767) August 9, 2024
As if that wasn’t enough, Walz’s own previous statements reflect an acute awareness of the military situation. He even mentioned a “possible partial mobilization” of roughly 2,000 troops when he filed for Congress just days before he officially said goodbye to military life. Despite his ostensible commitment to his troops and responsibilities, two months later he walked away, leaving many to wonder if his dedication was as deep as he claims.
In politics, timing is everything, and Walz’s choice to retire when he did raises eyebrows faster than a flagpole in a windstorm. The narrative might be being shaped to paint him as a dedicated soldier, but anyone doing a bit of digging knows that the reality is far more ambiguous. The stakes are high, and voters deserve to know not just the story being spun, but the real details lurking in the shadows of Walz’s past decisions.
