More Stolen Valor: California Democrat Derek Tran, 'Decorated' Iraq… Cook

Posted • September 26, 2024: California Democrat Derek Tran is running for Congress as a “decorated Veteran” and proudly says that he enlisted at age 18 “to fight in Iraq, serving the country that had given him and his family so much." The son of Vietnamese refugees, Tran enlisted in the Army Reserve and says that "in 2003 [he] was called to active duty for the Iraqi conflict" and that he "served during Operation Enduring Freedom in 2003." The tagline for his logo reads, "Veteran for Congress," and in interviews and campaign materials Tran references his military service, saying his time in the Army taught him to be "mission-focused" and to work together to get a job done, regardless of one's political affiliation. However, a RedState investigation into Tran's military service reveals that the candidate's claims are about as truthful as those made by Democrat Vice Presidential candidate Tim Walz.

Whether in his own campaign materials or those put out by PACs or groups who've endorsed Tran, his status as a Iraq veteran is front-and-center. This ad from House Majority PAC running on YouTube shows paratroopers jumping out of an airplane as the narrator repeats Tran's talking points about bipartisanship and his Army service and saying, "That's the kind of leader Derek Tran is." Leader? That's a strong implication that Tran was in some kind of leadership position in the Army reserves. In a press release on Tran's campaign site announcing an endorsement, Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA) is quoted as saying: "The son of Vietnamese refugees, Derek Tran bravely served our country during Operation Enduring Freedom." And Justice HQ, a group endorsing Tran, wrote: "Derek is a decorated Veteran and served during the 2003 Iraqi Conflict." -- Where did they get that information? Obviously, from Tran, starting from the moment he announced his candidacy on October 2, 2023. (…)

• More at: RedState - Dem Running for Congress As 'Decorated' Iraq Vet Was a Cook, Given Medal for Being in a Parade
https://redstate.com/jenvanlaar/2024/09/26/records-show-ca-dem-running-as-decorated-iraq-veteran-never-deployed-overseas-served-as-cook-n2179828
Rumble: Dem Running For Congress As 'Decorated' Iraq Vet Was A Cook, Given Medal For Being In A Parade
https://rumble.com/v5git0l-dem-running-for-congress-as-decorated-iraq-vet-was-a-cook-given-medal-for-b.html