Mark Kelly defends Tim Walz against JD Vance's detrimental remarks on his military record

WASHINGTON, DC: Senator Mark Kelly criticized Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance on Wednesday, August 7, for his comments against Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s military service.

Kelly, a retired Navy captain and former astronaut, took to the social platform X (formerly Twitter) to defend Walz’s record. Kelly's response came after Vance accused Walz of exaggerating his military service, a claim that has sparked significant online debate.

JD Vance shames Tim Walz for not fighting in any war for the US

JD Vance, who served in the United States Marine Corps, accused Tim Walz of "stolen valor" for allegedly misrepresenting his military experience.

Walz served in the National Guard but did not deploy to Iraq, which Vance highlighted in his critique. "I wonder, Tim Walz, when were you ever in war?" the GOP vice presidential candidate asked, per The Hill.

"He has not spent a day in a combat zone. … I’d be ashamed if I was him and I lied about my military service like he did," Vance continued.

Mark Kelly defends Tim Walz against JD Vance's attacks on his military career

In a post on X, Mark Kelly responded to JD Vance’s remarks on Tim Walz, urging him to remember the respect taught in the Marine Corps.

“Hey @JDVance, did you forget what the [United States Marine Corps] taught you about respect? Tim Walz spent DECADES in uniform,” Kelly wrote.

Mark Kelly reminds JD Vance not to become like Donald Trump

Mark Kelly continued his post by acknowledging both JD Vance’s and Tim Walz’s military service but criticized the former for his attack.

“You both deserve to be thanked for your service,” Kelly said. “Don’t become [former President] Donald Trump. He calls veterans suckers and losers and that is beneath those of us who have actually served.”

Vance likely aimed at Walz after Kamala Harris' campaign posted a clip of him on social media where he said, "We can make sure those weapons of war, that I carried in war, are only carried in war.”

Both major party vice presidential candidates, Vance in the Marines and Walz in the National Guard, had lengthy military careers.

Although Vance claims not to have witnessed actual combat, in 2005 he was sent to Iraq as a reporter for the Marines public affairs division.

Internet reactions to JD Vance's comments spark heated debate

The exchange between the two politicians, both of whom have served in the military, drew attention online, with some defending JD Vance and others supporting Mark Kelly’s stance.

"Dammmm. Dems really DONT like facts," wrote one user on X. "The simple fact that you included the suckers and losers hoax degenerative lie nullifies your entire post," another user added.

On the other hand, some users supported Kelly’s defense of Walz. "Every one should respect everyone in uniform. Full Stop," one user wrote. "JD Vance is plain weird," another commented.

Other users were more critical of Walz, accusing him of dishonesty regarding his service. "He’s a coward when he was to be deployed to Iraq. He immediately retired. He turned his back on his troops. He’s a coward POS," one user wrote.

Another added, "Calling out what Walz did is a favor to us all. He’s a habitual liar, fraud, and perpetrator of stolen valor. Kelly’s smearing himself by defending this piece of c**p."

Meanwhile, some users defended Walz against Vance’s accusations, with one writing, "Walz served with distinction while Vance sat around in a tent writing book reports for the armed forces. JD needs to be quiet now."

Another user countered the criticism of Kelly’s post by stating, "First, Trump never said that, you know that tho. Secondly, we don’t respect Stolen Valors."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.