Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Kamala Harris’ running mate, appeared at the 2024 American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) convention in Los Angeles Tuesday and finally addressed the questions about his military service that have clouded his nomination.

He bemoaned the attacks against his time in the military and said it was an honor to serve, but he completely sidestepped the reason for all the criticism—that he resigned just before his unit was scheduled to go to Iraq, was demoted as a result, and has been misrepresenting his final rank ever since. He’s also been accused of implying that he saw combat, which he did not.

Instead of addressing those serious allegations, he chose to wax poetic about his call to service and his patriotism. After issuing the usual Democrat talking points and slamming the Trump ticket, he suddenly turned serious:

...And by the way... These guys have are even attacking me for my record of service. And I just want to say, I'm proud to serve my country and I always will be. [Crowd cheers.] With my dad's encouragement, a guy who served in the army during the Korean War, I signed up for the Army National Guard two days after my 17th birthday. I served for the next 24 years for the same reason all my brothers and sisters in uniform do: we love this country.

To this point, there's nothing to criticize; in fact, it's a noble story and should be honored. He continued:

Then, in 2005, I felt the call of duty again, this time being service to my country and the halls of Congress. My students inspired me to run for that office, and I was proud to make it to Washington. I was a member of the Veterans Affairs Committee and a champion of our men and women in uniform.

I'm gonna say it again as clearly as I can. I am damn proud of my service to this country. And I firmly believe you should never denigrate another person's service record. To anyone brave enough to put on that uniform for our great country, including my opponent, I just have a few simple words. Thank you for your service and sacrifice.

Again, there’s nothing to criticize about what he said—in a different situation, it would be a touching tribute to the men and women who protect our freedom. But what’s so glaring is what he didn’t say; he refused to stand up and take any accountability for what appear to be extremely questionable decisions.

Watch:

The Trump team took note:

WALZ: "These guys are even attacking me for my record of service."

(He's being attacked for repeatedly LYING about his rank, abandoning his battalion just as they were set to deploy to Iraq so he could run for Congress, and lying about seeing combat) pic.twitter.com/YwPECY295o

— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) August 13, 2024

There's a huge stack of receipts:

Former Battalion Commander Lights Up Tim Walz Over Stolen Valor Scandal—'He Did Not Earn the Rank'

Stolen Valor Walz Strikes Again With Misleading Congressional Challenge Coin

BOMBSHELL: Tim Walz's Former Superior Goes on CNN, Delivers Devastating Testimony

NEW: The Tim Walz Stolen Valor Scandal Just Got Much Worse Following Bombshell Report

JD Vance Rightly Calls Tim Walz Out for Being a Sheep and a Coward

Remember, this is the guy who called JD Vance “weird”:

Why is Freakish Timothy Walz squealing? pic.twitter.com/Kcd5jNqBlB

— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) August 13, 2024

For anyone thinking Walz would man up and address this controversy, they were left disappointed. Yes, his years of service are to be honored, just as we should venerate all those who step up, but the way his career ended and the disturbing allegations of his behavior since leave a dark cloud over his reputation. This speech will do little to lift it.