Demoted Republican Slammed for Questioning Tim Walz’s Military Title

Republican Representative Ronny Jackson, formerly a rear admiral in the U.S. Navy, has been called out over his retroactive demotion in rank after questioning the military title of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.

Walz, who was set to formally accept his party’s nomination for vice president at the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday night, achieved the rank of command sergeant major in the Army National Guard before retiring after 24 years of service and launching his political career in 2005. The command designation was later removed because Walz did not complete required coursework.

Since Walz was announced as the running mate of Vice President Kamala Harris earlier this month, Republicans have been hammering his military service record. Figures including GOP vice presidential nominee JD Vance have accused Walz of “stolen valor” for calling himself a retired command sergeant major and for once incorrectly saying he carried an assault rifle “in war.”

Jackson, a staunch supporter of former President Donald Trump who raised eyebrows by boasting about Trump’s health while serving as the White House physician, was one of 50 veterans now serving as Republican members of Congress who denounced Walz for “lies” about his service in a letter shared by the Trump campaign on Thursday.

“Tim Walz is a FRAUD. He’s repeatedly LIED about going to war, and used that LIE for political gain,” Jackson wrote while sharing the letter to X, formerly Twitter. “I’m proud to join my fellow veterans in Congress to sign onto this letter. Tim Walz CANNOT be trusted!!”

VoteVets, a progressive group representing U.S. military veterans, quickly pointed out that Jackson signed off on the letter while falsely claiming to be a “Rear Admiral – U.S. Navy (Retired).”

While Jackson did retire as a rear admiral, the Navy demoted him to the rank of captain in 2022 following an investigation by the Defense Department inspector general that found Jackson engaged in inappropriate behaviors including drinking on the job as an admiral.

“@RonnyJacksonTX- you were demoted from Rear Admiral to Captain – why are YOU committing stolen valor for claiming you’re a retired flag officer?” VoteVets wrote on X.

Newsweek reached out for comment to Jackson’s office via email on Wednesday night.

VoteVets also argued that those concerned with “stolen valor” need to “look no further than Donald Trump’s campaign and the 50 Veterans who signed this letter,” adding that “29 of the signatures come from Republicans who falsely claim they retired from military service.”

While the letter lists every Republican signatory as a “retired” member of the military, veterans are required to have served in active duty for at least 20 years to be considered retired when they leave service.

VoteVets pointed out several Republicans who signed the letter as retired without having served long enough to earn the distinction, including Representative Brian Rabin and Senators Roger Marshall and Rick Scott.

The group also took aim at Representative Troy Nehls, who has recently faced criticism for continuing to wear an Army Combat Infantryman Badge, which is reserved for veterans who engaged in active combat, after it was revoked for being incorrectly awarded.

“@TroyNehls – to see you signing a letter to ANYONE about stolen valor is the height of hypocrisy,” wrote VoteVets. “Ask anyone who’s seen you wearing that Combat Infantryman’s Badge that you never earned!”