SEAL team commander slams 'misguided and false' claims contradicting senatorial candidate's gunshot wound

Exclusive: A group of Navy SEALs who served with Montana Republican Senate candidate Tim Sheehy defend him against questions surrounding the cause of gunshot wounds he claims he suffered during combat in Afghanistan I am doing it.

Sheehy, who is running to unseat Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, went to the emergency room in 2015 after a reported fall in Glacier National Park in Montana. During that visit, Sheehy was asked about the gunshot wound to his arm, which he reportedly told the park. Although the ranger said he accidentally shot himself with a Colt .45 revolver in the park, Sheehy later revealed on the campaign trail that he was actually injured while serving in Afghanistan in 2012.

The story recently resurfaced after Dave Madden, a longtime Democratic donor with Mr. Sheehy, told the New York Times that the Republican candidate was lying about his gunshot wounds from his time in the Navy.

But Sheehy's own commander and a group of 19 Navy SEALs and EOD technicians who served with Sheehy and Madden told Fox News that any attempt to deny Sheehy's gunshot wound was “disgraceful.” spoke exclusively to Digital.

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“Tim Sheehy's reputation as a SEAL is one of excellence and courage. He was a great teammate, a strong leader, and most importantly, a good friend to many of his fellow men.” 19 SEALs and EOD Tech said in a joint document. This statement was shared exclusively with Fox News Digital.

Shields added that their statement was not a political endorsement, but rather “supporting the truth and the need for good people to stand up and lead America.”

“Dave Madden's attack on Tim is defamatory, unbecoming of our community, disgraceful and wrong. Dave is trying to protect the SEAL community and respect within it for personal gain. Dave's statement regarding “Choosing to criticize those who are being treated as such is clearly politically motivated and that Dave defined his life after the military.'' Far from being close to Tim, he wasn't even in Tim's platoon during the events in question, and his selfish lies are pathetic. ”

Sheehy and Madden's commanders also defended Sheehy from his critics.

“Tim Sheehy's reputation as a SEAL is one of sheer dedication, personal sacrifice, and courage. Dave Madden's statements about Tim are shameful, misguided, and wrong.” Mike Hayes, CDR and commander of SEAL Team 2, told FOX News Digital. .

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Sheehy told The Washington Post in April that he didn't report it to his superiors to avoid investigation, that he didn't know where the bullet came from and that he didn't report it to protect his former platoon comrades.

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Madden, a Democratic donor according to campaign finance records, said in an interview with the New York Times that he and Sheehy have been friends for some time and that the Senate candidate never mentioned being shot in the forearm. He said that made him skeptical that Mr. Sheehy was injured. abroad.

Mr. Madden's criticism has caught on, making headlines in the final weeks leading up to the crucial Senate race, with some polls showing Mr. Sheehy leading by several percentage points. But this interview is just one of Madden's frequent criticisms of Senate candidates on social media.

“Tim was a better SEAL than I was, but that doesn't mean he's *moral*. I've rarely met anyone with such a strong will to power. , has the kind of confidence you can only get from him.'' He was raised on extreme wealth (PE family money) and is what Montana voters want to hear in order to reach their “rightful'' position of power. I'll tell you anything. ” Madden wrote on X (formerly Twitter) in September.

Sheehy is running against Democratic Sen. Jon Tester in the Montana Senate race. (Tom Williams/Getty Images)

Another post from January read: “I know Tim well and I'm glad you didn't vote for him.”

Fox News Digital has reached out to Madden for comment.

NSSF — The Firearms Industry Trade Association released a statement defending Sheehy, saying the firearm he was carrying in the park would not have fired a single shot if he had accidentally dropped it. issued a statement in defense.

“As we understand, the correct way to carry a single-action Colt .45 revolver is with the hammer down on the empty chamber to prevent unintentional discharge if the firearm is accidentally dropped or dropped. Based on the facts, the park ranger therefore believes that Mr. Sheehy followed proper gun safety procedures, but that in that case, even if accidentally dropped or dropped, the bullet could have been fired unintentionally. It's not going to happen,” Lawrence said. Mr. G. Keene, NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel.

Republican Senate candidate Tim Sheehy speaks at a rally in support of former president and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump (R) on August 9, 2024 in Bozeman, Montana. (Natalie Bering/AFP via Getty Images)

The NSSF added that the gun Sheehy was carrying could have caused even more serious damage if it had been fired in the park.

“A Colt .45 bullet fired at close range would have caused extensive and obvious damage to Mr. Sheehy's arm, and the gunshot wound would have likely required immediate medical attention, including surgery. If Mr. Sheehy had For these reasons, it is hard to imagine that he would have walked out of the hospital just a few hours later at Glacier, as has been claimed, if he had been shot by Tim. We believe the claim that Sheehy's single-action Colt .45 revolver was fired when it fell, or that it was dropped and struck him in the arm, is false and inaccurate.

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“By smearing Tim Sheehy's military record, Democrats and the media are dusting off a well-worn political strategy forged during the Trump administration,” Mike Berg, communications director for the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), said in a statement. It's ripping it off,” he said. “They ignore the facts and provoke leftist partisans with last-minute wild claims to smear Sheehy before he can respond. The tactics being used against Tim Sheehy are similar to those used against Donald Trump and Brett. -It's the same tactic being used against Kavanaugh. Montanans should reject it.'' These are disgusting left-wing tactics. ”