CNN Anchor Reverses Position on JD Vance's Military Service After Backlash

CNN's Brianna Keilar has clarified her comments after facing criticism for suggesting that Sen. JD Vance (R-OH) embellished his military service. In a monologue on Friday, Keilar acknowledged that Vance "served honorably" in Iraq.

CNN anchor Brianna Keilar has walked back her previous comments regarding Senator JD Vance's military service, now stating that he "served honorably." This reversal comes after backlash over her initial suggestion that Vance inflated his service record.

In a recent segment, Keilar had speculated that Vance might not be an ideal critic of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who is running for vice president on the Democratic ticket. She noted that while Vance was a "combat correspondent," he was technically a public affairs specialist who did not see combat.

CNN Anchor Reverses Position on JD Vance's Military Service After Backlash

These comments drew sharp criticism from Vance, who accused Keilar and CNN of "disgusting" behavior. He emphasized that he had always been truthful about his Marine Corps service, despite not having been directly involved in a firefight.

In response to the backlash, Keilar clarified her position on Friday, stating that Vance "served honorably" in Iraq. She emphasized that she and others in the military community have observed the Trump campaign's use of "swiftboating" tactics against Walz, and that attacks on Vance's service are equally offensive.

CNN Anchor Reverses Position on JD Vance's Military Service After Backlash

Keilar argued that in a country where relatively few bear the burden of military service, it should be considered an asset rather than a liability. She stressed that even those who do not engage in combat or retire from the National Guard after many years have still made significant sacrifices and deserve recognition.

She further emphasized that both Vance and Walz have served in the military, giving them unique insights into the experiences and needs of armed forces personnel and their families. This experience, she contended, is important for any candidate seeking to be commander-in-chief.

CNN Anchor Reverses Position on JD Vance's Military Service After Backlash

Keilar acknowledged that she and her family have a personal connection to military service, with her husband being a veteran and their sons idolizing him. She expressed the importance of having someone with knowledge of the sacrifices involved in military service at the decision-making table.

Keilar's initial comments had also raised questions about Walz's military record. In particular, his claim to have carried a weapon "in war" has been challenged. Behrends, a former member of Walz's battalion, asserted that Walz's language suggests he was in combat, when in reality he was not in an active war zone.

CNN Anchor Reverses Position on JD Vance's Military Service After Backlash

Walz was mobilized to Italy in 2003 and did not deploy to Iraq or Afghanistan. He retired from military service in 2005, allegedly to avoid deployment to Iraq. Schilling, another veteran who served in Walz's battalion, accused him of "ditching" his soldiers before their deployment.

Despite these controversies, the Harris campaign has maintained that Walz has served honorably and has never claimed to have been in combat. They have also highlighted Walz's extensive training and experience in weapons handling.