Ethics Complaint Filed Over Hegseth's Iowa State Fair Appearance With Rep. Nunn

The Steady State, a nonpartisan group of former national security officials, has filed an ethics complaint against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over his August appearance at Rep. Zach Nunn's Iowa State Fair fundraiser. The complaint asks the U.S. Office of Special Counsel to investigate whether Hegseth violated the Hatch Act and whether government funds were used for the trip.

What happened at the Iowa State Fair fundraiser?

Hegseth joined Nunn at JR's Southpork Ranch on Aug. 17, 2026, for an event called “Operation Top Nunn: Salute to the Troops.” The fundraiser was rescheduled from March after two Iowa soldiers were killed in an Iranian strike on a Kuwait facility on March 1.

At the event, Hegseth told the crowd, “according to the lawyers, I'm only here in a personal capacity today.” He then urged Iowans to support Nunn's reelection bid against Democratic challenger Sarah Trone Garriott in the 3rd District race.

“President Trump needs the type of leaders who understand why a $1.5 trillion dollar budget, a one-time generational investment, is what is necessary to ensure that my kids and your kids, that your grandkids and my grandkids, live in a free country, defended by the most powerful military in the world,” Hegseth said.

Why is the Hatch Act relevant here?

The Hatch Act limits partisan political activities for federal employees. One key prohibition bars Cabinet members from using their authority or influence to affect election outcomes. The Steady State argues Hegseth may have crossed that line by invoking his position, the Department's budget request, and his access to the President while urging the audience to send Nunn back to Congress.

The Steady State consists of 430 former national security, intelligence, diplomatic, military, and law enforcement officials. They filed the complaint on Friday.

Did taxpayer funds pay for Hegseth's trip?

The complaint also seeks answers about travel costs. A Washington Post reporter's social media post noted that while a Pentagon official said Hegseth traveled in his personal capacity, he used taxpayer-funded military aircraft for the trip because of his role.

The Steady State is asking the OSC to investigate what government resources were used, whether travel costs were reported under the Federal Election Campaign Act, and whether they were reimbursed. The group emphasized the complaint “does not assert that reimbursement did not occur.”

What do the Pentagon and Nunn's campaign say?

A Pentagon official reiterated that Hegseth attended the event in his personal capacity. The official added, “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 respond to a request for comment on the complaint.

However, Zach Schenkman, Trone Garriott's campaign manager, pressed for more answers.

“Who paid for that flight? Did Pentagon lawyers sign off before the Secretary of Defense got on a stage and asked donors to send Zach Nunn back to Washington?” Schenkman said. “Iowans paid for that plane one way or the other, and they are owed an answer.”

What happens next?

The Office of Special Counsel will determine whether to open an investigation into the complaint. The outcome could have implications for both Hegseth and Nunn as the 3rd District race heats up ahead of November.

Iowa voters will be watching closely to see whether any additional details emerge about the trip and its funding.