A federal investigation is underway after staffers at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) improperly accessed the medical records of Sen. JD Vance (R-OH) and Gov. Tim Walz (D). The unauthorized access occurred during the summer and involved at least a dozen VA employees, including a physician and a contractor.
The VA’s Inspector General has forwarded evidence to federal prosecutors, and investigators are now working to determine if the records were shared or if the motives behind the breach were political. The incident violates federal health privacy laws and has raised concerns over the integrity of the VA’s systems.
Some employees told investigators they were curious about Vance and Walz’s medical records because both candidates have faced scrutiny over their military service in the 2024 presidential election. Vance has been vocal about Walz allegedly lying about his military service, particularly claims of carrying weapons in combat, which Walz has denied.
Vance, a Marine veteran, has criticized Walz’s military record, pointing out that the governor left the Army National Guard before his unit deployed to Iraq. Walz has also faced backlash for inaccurately claiming to have retired with a higher rank than he actually held.
The breach of medical records comes at a critical moment in the presidential race, and both candidates are set to debate soon. The investigation is ongoing, and officials are working to understand the full scope of the violation.
