Rep. Zach Nunn, left, and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth pose for a photo in August after Hegseth endorsed Nunn’s reelection campaign at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines.
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A group of former national security officials has asked federal investigators to determine whether Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth improperly used his official authority while endorsing Republican Iowa U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn at an Aug. 17 campaign fundraiser in Des Moines.
The complaint asks investigators to examine Hegseth’s use of taxpayer-funded military aircraft and determine whether political travel costs were properly allocated and reimbursed to the U.S. Treasury.
OSC previously closed a complaint over a May Hegseth campaign appearance in Kentucky, but The Steady State argues the Iowa event was different because Hegseth invoked his Pentagon responsibilities while urging voters to return Nunn to Congress.
A group of former national security officials has asked the U.S. Office of Special Counsel to investigate whether Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth violated federal political-activity restrictions when he endorsed Republican Iowa U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn at an Iowa State Fair campaign fundraiser last month.
The Steady State, which describes itself as a nonpartisan organization of more than 430 former national security, intelligence, diplomatic, military and law enforcement officials who served under presidents of both parties, filed the complaint Friday over Hegseth’s Aug. 17 appearance at Nunn’s “Operation Top Nunn: A Salute to the Troops” event in Des Moines.
The ticketed event at JR’s SouthPork Ranch benefited Team Nunn, a joint fundraising committee that includes Nunn’s campaign, his leadership political action committee and the National Republican Congressional Committee. Admission ranged from $26 to $3,500, with the two highest tiers including access to a VIP reception.
The complaint asks federal investigators to determine whether Hegseth used the authority or influence of his office to affect the November election and whether government resources used for his trip were properly paid for or reimbursed.
Hegseth endorsed Nunn from the stage while discussing his work leading the Pentagon.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (left) shakes hands with Rep. Zach Nunn as Hegseth is introduced on stage during an event at the Iowa State Fair in August at JR’s Southpork Ranch in Des Moines.
“The biggest job I have is to ensure that my department is properly funded,” Hegseth said before praising Nunn as an ally on military spending and telling attendees: “We need those reinforcements in Washington, D.C. We need him to continue to be there.”
Later in the speech, Hegseth said “according to the lawyers, I’m only here in a personal capacity today,” then added that he “had to say that for full disclaimer, for the lawyers.”
The complaint notes that promotional materials for the fundraiser changed between its originally scheduled March date and the rescheduled Aug. 17 event. March materials advertised Hegseth as a special guest, identifying him as “Pete Hegseth” without his official title and stating in fine print that his appearance was “not a solicitation of funds.” The event was later postponed, and promotional materials for the Aug. 17 fundraiser did not mention Hegseth.
The Steady State said it is not alleging that the invitations themselves violated the Hatch Act’s prohibition on soliciting political contributions but rather is asking investigators to examine whether Hegseth used the authority and resources of his office in connection with the partisan fundraiser.
A Pentagon official on Monday reiterated Secretary Hegseth was in Iowa attending an event in his personal capacity and stated: “Department staff are not involved in, nor privy to, the details of events that Secretary Hegseth attends in his personal capacity. Therefore, we have no comment.”
Nunn’s campaign did not immediately respond Monday to a message seeking comment.
The Hatch Act applies to presidential appointees confirmed by the Senate, including Cabinet secretaries. Certain officials may engage in political activity while on duty or using government transportation if specific conditions are met and costs associated with the political activity are not borne by the U.S. Treasury. They remain prohibited, however, from using their official authority or influence to affect an election, according to the Office of Special Counsel.
The complaint focuses on Hegseth’s travel. The Washington Post previously reported that Hegseth used taxpayer-funded military aircraft for the Iowa trip. The Pentagon has said Hegseth is required to use military aircraft because of security and communications needs.
The Steady State is asking investigators to determine whether any travel costs were allocated to political activity, whether the Treasury was reimbursed, by whom and when, and whether Hegseth conducted any official Pentagon business in Iowa that day. The group stressed it does not assert that reimbursement did not occur.
A group of former national security officials has asked the U.S. Office of Special Counsel to investigate whether Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth violated federal political-activity restrictions when he endorsed Republican Iowa U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn at an Iowa State Fair campaign fundraiser last month.
The complaint also asks OSC to determine whether Pentagon ethics lawyers reviewed Hegseth’s appearance in advance, whether he attended the fundraiser’s donor reception and whether he solicited or handled any political contributions.
Those questions build on concerns raised after the event about the Pentagon’s own political-activity rules. Department guidance for Senate-confirmed political appointees says they may not speak at a fundraiser on behalf of a partisan candidate, serve as surrogates for partisan candidates or participate “in concert” with a candidate.
Richard Painter, a University of Minnesota law professor who served as chief White House ethics lawyer under President George W. Bush.
Richard Painter, a University of Minnesota law professor who served as chief White House ethics lawyer under President George W. Bush, previously told The Gazette that Hegseth’s participation “departs from the Defense Department guidelines” and that Pentagon officials historically have avoided active campaign roles.
When The Gazette previously asked whether Pentagon lawyers approved the appearance, what restrictions were imposed and who paid for Hegseth’s travel, the department responded: “We have nothing to provide beyond the Secretary’s remarks.”
The Steady State previously filed a Hatch Act complaint over Hegseth’s May 18 campaign appearance in Kentucky for Republican congressional candidate Ed Gallrein. The Office of Special Counsel closed that complaint the next day, concluding that Hegseth had appeared in his personal capacity because he “neither used his official title nor referred to the Department of War” and had given a disclaimer that he was speaking as a private citizen.
The Steady State argues the Iowa appearance presents materially different facts. In Des Moines, Hegseth referred to the Pentagon as “my department,” described ensuring its funding as his job, said he had begun the day “literally in the Oval Office” discussing defense issues with President Donald Trump before urging the crowd to return Nunn to Congress.
The group contends those circumstances warrant a new investigation even though Hegseth said during the speech that he was appearing in his personal capacity.