Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth headlined a campaign fundraiser for US Rep. Zach Nunn at the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 17—seemingly an appearance that runs directly into rules his own department wrote to prevent the Defense Department and its $1.1 trillions of taxpayer funds from being used as political pawns.
The Department of Defense’s February 2026 political activity guidance for Senate-confirmed officials like Hegseth states plainly that they are “prohibited from… organizing a political fundraiser or speaking at a fundraiser.” Any official remarks they give at a partisan event, the guidance says, “should be limited to DoW issues,” and officials “must refrain from advocating for or against a candidate for partisan political office, or commenting on any campaign related issues.”
Hegseth did neither. Radio Iowa reported he was billed as the headliner of “Top Nunn: Salute to the Troops,” a “veteran-focused fund-raising event” with individual tickets for $26 and VIP packages up to $3,500. Far from a defense briefing, he praised Nunn’s voting record onstage.
“We need guys like this man right here having our back in Congress,” Hegseth told the crowd according to the New York Times. “When we need an ally to call who understands why it’s important to fund our military in the way we need to fund it, but also do so in a fiscally responsible way, we call Congressman Zach Nunn.”
A cabinet secretary pitching a crowd for congressman’s reelection, helping that congressman fundraise for his campaign flies in the face of a plain reading of the law. However, it’s the Office of Special Counsel that makes such determinations.
Iowa Starting Line sent the Department of Defense questions related to his conduct and the extent to which it follows the law. The DOD did not respond to the question, but a department spokesperson sent a statement included here in full:
“The Department of War, including Secretary Hegseth, respects and follows the law, including those involving government ethics.”
The DOD told the Times that he was attending the event in his personal capacity.
If the line sounds familiar, it’s because Hegseth has leaned on it before. In May, Hegseth headlined a rally in Hebron, Kentucky for Ed Gallrein, a Republican primary challenger to Rep. Thomas Massie, a Republican, just days ahead of the vote. Gallrein went on to beat Massie.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell defended the behavior by saying it was done on “personal time,” telling reporters the appearance had “been thoroughly vetted and cleared by lawyers, including the Department of War Office of General Counsel, and does not violate the Hatch Act.”
The Steady State, a group of more than 420 former national security officials, didn’t buy it. The group filed a formal Hatch Act complaint with the Office of Special Counsel, arguing Hegseth’s remarks blurred his official Fort Campbell duties with a partisan campaign appearance in violation of the same guidance now in question in Iowa. As of publication, the OSC complaint is still pending.
Also in the room, per the Times: US Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, another Iowan facing a tight reelection, as well as US Rep. Ashley Hinson, the GOP’s US Senate nominee against Democratic state Rep. Josh Turek. The restrictions that bind Hegseth apply to executive branch appointees, not members of Congress.
Sarah Trone Garriott, the Democratic state senator and Lutheran minister challenging Nunn in a race forecasters call a toss-up, called the event “disgraceful,” arguing Nunn and Hegseth should be focused on ending the war with Iran rather than fundraising off it.
Nunn’s campaign did not respond to a request for comment.
“According to the lawyers, I’m only here in a personal capacity today, as a veteran and a patriotic American,” Hegseth told the crowd Monday. “I have to say that.”
