It’s safe to say that when it comes to military service, Americans have a deeply ingrained respect for the men and women who serve. Whether it's Memorial Day or Veterans Day, the country takes time to honor the sacrifices of military members.
So, when someone claims to have served in a capacity they didn’t—or stretches the truth about their military record—it’s seen as an unforgivable offense. And it’s especially problematic when that individual is running for office, trying to win the trust of voters. Unfortunately, in the 2024 election cycle, some Democratic candidates are being accused of exactly that: embellishing or misrepresenting their military service.
One of the most recent controversies comes out of the Missouri Senate race, where Democrat Lucas Kunce, a former Marine, is challenging incumbent Republican Senator Josh Hawley. Kunce is being accused of "stolen valor" by retired Border Patrol agents over claims that he was "certified by the Border Patrol Tactical Unit (BORTAC)." Now, for those not in the know, BORTAC is an elite unit within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, with fewer than one percent of Border Patrol agents earning certification. It’s a tough, selective process. So, when Kunce made that claim, it raised more than a few eyebrows.
The first retired Border Patrol agent said Kunce’s claim to be a BORTAC member amounts to “stolen valor.”
The retired agent said, “We take it personally, just like Don Shipley does when he exposes SEAL imposters.”
He or she added, “When they’re trying to do it for a personal or… https://t.co/6JN29SwXKZ
— Gregg Keller (@RGreggKeller) September 18, 2024
According to the retired Border Patrol agents, Kunce couldn’t possibly have earned that certification because he was never a Border Patrol agent—a key requirement for becoming BORTAC certified. They went so far as to check the official roster of BORTAC-certified individuals, which, according to them, did not include Kunce’s name. In their eyes, Kunce’s claim, while based on his training with Border Patrol agents during his time as a Marine, amounts to stolen valor.
Kunce’s campaign pushed back. His team clarified that he trained with Border Patrol while preparing for deployment to Iraq and completed a specific training course with BORTAC in Yuma, Arizona. Kunce never claimed to be a full-fledged BORTAC agent, his campaign insists, but rather emphasized that he participated in a training course and received a certificate for it. Regardless, the retired Border Patrol agents are not buying it. They’ve even gone so far as to request that the Customs and Border Protection’s legal office serve Kunce with a cease-and-desist order over the claims.
Retired Border Patrol Agents Accuse Josh Hawley’s Dem Opponent of Stolen Valor
“A source familiar with the proceedings said that the leadership in BORTAC headquarters has asked CBP’s Office of Chief Counsel to give Kunce a cease and desist order.”
Oh my. https://t.co/KcVnFx4ic9
— Abigail Jackson 🇺🇸 (@abigailmarone) September 18, 2024
And Kunce isn’t alone in facing these kinds of accusations. The 2024 election cycle has seen a string of Democrats facing scrutiny over their military records. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, the Democratic Vice Presidential nominee, has been criticized for misrepresenting his rank and implying combat deployment when he wasn’t actually deployed. Similarly, Maryland Governor Wes Moore had to clarify his military record after confusion arose regarding whether or not he was a Bronze Star recipient.
For Kunce, the timing of these accusations could be politically damaging. A recent Real Clear Politics poll shows him trailing Josh Hawley by 11 points in Missouri, a state that has a strong military presence with Fort Leonard Wood and Whiteman Air Force Base. The optics of a stolen valor accusation in a state that takes its military community seriously might just seal the deal for Hawley. Missouri hasn’t seen a Democratic Senator since 2018 when Hawley unseated Claire McCaskill, and if things continue on this trajectory, it looks like Kunce might end up joining her on the sidelines.