Daniel Wolfram
While the US is in major conflict with Iran, the guy in charge of the military took a jet to Iowa to campaign with Republicans
It is not going well for the United States of America overseas right now. The country is at a standstill against Iran, and the US is testing the resilience of its trusted allies.
However, that did not stop Trump’s defense secretary from taking time out of a busy schedule to fly to a battleground state before the election.
And maybe to lay the groundwork for a presidential bid?
A quick stop in Iowa
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth arrived in Iowa this week to support House Republicans up for re-election. Standing at the Iowa State Fair, he gave a speech to voters alongside Representative Zach Nunn.
The fair is known for launching national careers.
Campaign stops by sitting defense secretaries are extremely rare. The Independent reported that the Pentagon defended the trip, emphasizing that Hegseth acted solely in a personal capacity.
Yet this trip fits a wider pattern for Hegseth. CBS News reported that he previously visited South Carolina during a close primary election, and he also traveled to Kentucky to back a candidate in another local primary.
Gazing at 2028
The timing raised immediate questions. Unnamed officials told The Washington Post that the Iowa swing looked suspiciously like a test run for a 2028 presidential campaign.
Visiting Iowa early lets politicians test the waters and build grassroots connections. CBS News noted that other administration figures, including Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., also visited the state this week.
Hegseth actively defended ongoing military operations in Iran while on stage. He praised Zach Nunn for backing the White House on massive defense budgets and tough national security votes.
During his speech, Hegseth told the crowd that Nunn was an essential ally in Congress for the MAGA movement.
Pressure back in D.C.
The trip came with a lot of scrutiny from across the aisle. Federal law required Hegseth to fly on military aircraft. That detail sparked controversy over using government transport for partisan political events.
Republicans face tight polls. So GOP super PACs are pouring cash into Iowa to fend off Democratic challengers across multiple districts.
Whether Hegseth actually plans to run for president in 2028 is still unconfirmed. Even so, he seems to believe that this Midwestern blitz will lead to more positive press and a better national profile. That remains to be seen.
