Tim Walz’s China visits warrant Pentagon investigation, US congressman tells Lloyd Austin

Democratic vice-presidential candidate is accused of possibly running afoul of foreign-travel reporting requirements as a national guardsman

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Democratic vice-presidential candidate Tim Walz addresses unionized public employees in Los Angeles, California, on Tuesday. Photo: Los Angeles Times/TNS

Published: 6:18am, 15 Aug 2024Updated: 7:02am, 15 Aug 2024

In the latest Republican attempt to discredit Tim Walz and his China experience, a US congressman has asked Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin to investigate the Democratic vice-presidential nominee’s travel to the mainland as a member of the US military.

The letter sent on Tuesday by Congressman Jim Banks of Indiana said the Minnesota governor possibly did not comply with foreign-travel reporting requirements during personal trips to China when he served in the Nebraska and Minnesota national guards.

“It strains credulity that Walz’s National Guard superiors would not have had some concerns about his pattern of behaviour,” said Banks.

Banks contended that the most plausible explanation for the lack of visible concern for these trips was that Walz did not disclose the extent of his travels.

A Pentagon spokesperson on Wednesday said Austin would respond to the letter “in due course”.

What connection does US VP pick Walz have to China?

The National Guard is primarily a state-level component of the US military, with members typically serving part-time. Walz served in the guard’s army branch for about 24 years, leaving in 2005 as a senior enlisted member.