Veterans Heckle Minnesota Governor Walz, Accuse Him of Stolen Valor and China Sympathies

During a veterans rally at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul, Governor Tim Walz faced heckling from veterans who accused him of stolen valor. The event, "Veterans Day on the Hill," saw Walz greeted by a crowd that voiced strong criticism, labeling him a "coward" and accusing him of sympathizing with China.

Footage captured by KSTP showed veterans, some holding American flags and signs, shouting at the governor. Walz attempted to address the crowd, but was met with further interruptions. He acknowledged the passion in the room before proceeding with his remarks.

The criticism of Walz has gained traction on social media, with conservative figures celebrating the disruptions. The accusations of stolen valor stem from inconsistencies in his descriptions of his military service during the 2024 presidential election.

Walz served in the Minnesota National Guard's 1st Battalion, 125th Field Artillery, retiring as a master sergeant in 2005. He was accused of retiring shortly before his battalion deployed to Iraq. Additionally, he was found to have inaccurately claimed to have retired as a command sergeant major.

Walz's connections to China also became a point of contention. He worked briefly as a teacher in China in 1989. While initially believed to have made numerous trips to China, the number was later revised by his campaign.

The 2024 campaign brought further scrutiny to Walz's background, including instances where he "misspoke" about his travels and family history. Despite these missteps, Walz has downplayed them.

The rally, hosted by the Commanders' Task Force and Minnesota Association of County Veterans Service Officers, is an annual event aimed at facilitating communication between Minnesota officials and veterans. Following the disruptions, Walz committed to protecting budget provisions for veterans.