Defense Secretary Hegseth heads to Iowa to campaign for GOP candidates

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is scheduled to travel to Iowa to support Republican candidates, a move that is highly unusual for a sitting Pentagon chief. Sources confirmed to CBS News that Hegseth's itinerary includes giving remarks, engaging with veterans, and actively campaigning for GOP contenders in the battleground state.

This visit places Hegseth among a parade of high-ranking Trump administration officials who have recently visited Iowa. Their presence aims to bolster Republican candidates and support official business in a state where Democrats are expressing optimism about their chances this year. Key races include competitive contests for two U.S. House seats held by Republicans Zach Nunn and Mariannette Miller-Meeks, as well as open races for a U.S. Senate seat and the governorship.

Hegseth is slated to appear at an event supporting Rep. Zach Nunn, a colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserve who has served in Congress since 2023. Nunn's seat is rated lean Republican, and he won his last race by a narrow margin. Miller-Meeks' race is considered a toss-up, and she faces the same Democratic opponent from previous elections.

The decision for a defense secretary to actively campaign for candidates is a departure from historical precedent. Previous defense secretaries have rarely, if ever, attended campaign events while in office. Hegseth's recent travel has also included an official visit to South Carolina for a base renaming ceremony and a trip to Kentucky to support a Republican candidate in a primary.