GOP combat veteran challenges CNN anchor to interview Walz instead of defending him.

Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla., advised Brianna Keilar to scrutinize Gov. Tim Walz's, D-Minn., military record assertions instead of backing him up on Wednesday.

Waltz Wednesday was questioned by the "CNN News Central" host regarding a letter he and 50 Republican veterans in Congress wrote to the Democratic vice presidential candidate about his "egregious misrepresentations."

Keilar accused the Florida representative of attacking Walz's military service, but he disagreed with the characterization and said, "I am attacking the lies about his service."

Joe Eustice, a veteran who served with Walz, defended him and asked the congressman, 'Why are you and other Republicans doing this when you know his service and he hates your politics?'

The Minnesota governor frequently mentioned his status as a retired command sergeant major, even though he had not fulfilled the necessary criteria to earn the title.

To veterans, particularly enlisted veterans, the matter is not just semantics; it's a lie, a misrepresentation, and an exaggeration. Waltz said before being interrupted.

"Keilar emphasized that the valor was not stolen, stating, "It’s not stolen valor." He further clarified, "I just want to be clear, and the letter, I’m reading this, I’m reading this, Mike, and quote ‘abandoning the men and women under your leadership, just as they were getting ready to deploy, was certainly not honorable either.’ That is an attack on his service.""

Waltz stated that the decision not to go to combat with his unit as a leader is being attacked.

Despite criticism from other veterans who'd served with the Minnesota governor, Keilar frequently used Eustice as a rebuttal to Waltz's arguments.

Waltz was questioned by Keilar about his letter, and in response, Keilar called on Walz to question Walz.

Waltz suggested that instead of defending the decisions, Brianna should interview him and ask the questions or at least have him sit down and answer for the inconsistencies.

Walz needed to address questions about his military record, but Keilar persisted in challenging Waltz's accusations.

Keilar questioned the value of sacrificing 24 years of service.

Waltz stated that he wished the person would sit down instead of him or JD Vance and answer the questions, as the American people and the veterans' community deserved it.

Earlier this month, Keilar faced criticism for stating that Vance had overstated his military record while attacking Walz.

Keilar pointed out that Vance was a public affairs specialist, not a combat correspondent, which contradicts the title's impression. Therefore, he may not be the ideal messenger.

She later walked back her comment, acknowledging that Vance served honorably while still defending Walz.

"Keilar argued that in a country where few shoulder the burden, military service should not be a liability but an asset. Despite recent years of war, many service members haven't seen combat, which doesn't diminish their service or make it less necessary. Retiring from the National Guard after 24 years is also not a diminishment of their service. These attacks from the left or right diminish the service of so many others who have served honorably, sacrificing time away from family and putting themselves in harm's way because the military is made largely of JD Vances and Tim Walzs."