As someone who once believed in the Democratic Party, I know firsthand how far they are from the truth. I served in the U.S. Military and deployed overseas in support of Operation Iraq and Operation Enduring Freedom to uphold the principles of Honor and Integrity. These are the values ​​that Tim Walz has forgotten and it is time we hold him accountable.

Waltz claims the rank of command sergeant major, a title given to those who have truly earned it through years of sacrifice and leadership. But his former commanding officer, John Kolb, set the record straight: “I can sit in the cockpit of an airplane, but that doesn't make me a pilot.” Waltz has never completed the courses necessary to earn that senior rank. Claim Blatant MisrepresentationThis is not just a minor mistake, it is a deliberate deception that should concern all Americans.

Walz has misled Minnesotans about his record for years on congressional committees and on campaign trails, claiming he is the “highest ranking soldier to ever serve in Congress” is a blatant lie.” Once in his parliamentary resume statedHe didn't even finish the Sergeant Major Academy. If we can't trust Walz or Kamala Harris to be honest about their records, how can we trust them to lead this country?

The deception doesn't just stop at rank: During the Minneapolis riots, Walz further demonstrated his disdain for military personnel. Reject President Trump held off on sending in the National Guard to restore order, calling them “19-year-old cooks.” This wasn't just a poor choice of words; it demonstrated President Trump's lack of respect for the military and a misunderstanding of their vital role in protecting communities. In contrast, leaders like J.D. Vance, who served on the front lines as a Marine, show what true public service looks like. Vance didn't shy away from the call of duty; he took it on with the courage and commitment we should expect from our leaders.

Waltz's actions speak louder than his carefully crafted public image. Not only did he lie about his rank, he betrayed his unit and his comrades by not standing with them when it mattered most. Waltz was supposed to be a leader, someone his soldiers could look up to, but he abandoned them. High and dry When his draft came, rather than answering it, he focused more on the title than the duty of serving his country and community. While Waltz was busy climbing the political ladder, these “19-year-old cooks” were on the front lines protecting the very freedoms he now takes for granted.

But this problem goes beyond Tim Walz. There is a widespread tendency within the Democratic Party to prioritize appearances over substance, to tell people what they want to hear rather than the truth. Walz is not alone in this sin, but he is perhaps the most egregious example. Democrats have long relied on their ability to manipulate the narrative to fit party policy, but Walz's lie about his military service took this tendency to a new low.

“Americans deserve leaders who embody the values ​​they claim to represent, not leaders who distort the truth for political gain. The military is one of the few institutions in this country that still commands respect and trust. When someone like Waltz tarnishes that trust for his own ambition, it's not only unfortunate, it's dangerous.”

As a former military member, I urge Tim Walz to come clean about his military history. The American people deserve a leader founded on integrity, not a temple of lies. It's time to demand better. We've seen what happens when truth is sacrificed for political gain. It's time to say enough is enough.

Will Pierce is a political consultant and columnist. He served as a senior advisor to Senator Bernie Sanders during his 2020 presidential campaign, was a finance committee member for the Biden presidential campaign in 2020, and was a member of the Democratic National Committee until leaving the Democratic Party in 2023. He also served as national director for Draft Biden in 2016 and has been responsible for fundraising and fundraising for various Democratic campaigns. He currently serves as a consultant to Republican campaigns and is a frequent contributor to The Daily Caller.

The views and opinions expressed in this editorial are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the Daily Caller.