WASHINGTON, DC (Just the News) — The National Guard claims it does not know if Tim Walz disclosed his DUI charge and reckless driving guilty plea to the military after the 1995 incident, deepening the mystery that surrounds the Minnesota governor’s National Guard service.
Last month, the Minnesota Guard told Just the News that it does not know whether Walz, now the Democratic vice presidential nominee, had disclosed his drunk driving charge and guilty plea to the military at the time of the incident. The Guard’s spokesperson did not respond to several follow-up emails seeking clarification.
The Nebraska National Guard, where Walz was serving during the arrest, did not respond to a request for comment.
Sean Timmons, a former military lawyer who reached the rank of Army Captain in the Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps and now works in a private military law practice told Just the News that in his experience such a charge and guilty plea would normally result in a mandatory reprimand and likely spell the end of an otherwise promising career.
Despite that, Walz was later promoted and was in the process of becoming a Command Sergeant Major—the highest enlisted rank in the service—when he resigned to run for Congress.
“I find it very bizarre he was allowed to stay in the guard and even get promoted,” said Timmons, a managing partner at Tully Rinckey PLLC where he focuses on military law, drawing on experiences from his years of service. “In the Army today whether guard, reserve or active duty. a DUI for driving while intoxicated is usually a career ending event unless you are acquitted fully or the charges are dropped entirely,” he said.
