NEW: Nonpartisan National Security Group Files Ethics Complaint Requesting Investigation into Pete Hegseth’s Appearance at Zach Nunn Fundraiser

Des Moines Register: Group seeks ethics probe of Pete Hegseth over Zach Nunn fundraiser

• A group representing former national security officials has asked the U.S. Office of Special Counsel to investigate whether Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth violated rules limiting federal employees’ political activities by speaking at Republican U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn’s signature fundraiser.
• The Steady State, an organization of more than 430 former national security officials, filed the complaint asking for a probe into whether Hegseth’s appearance at Nunn’s annual “Top Gun”-themed “Top Nunn: Salute to the Troops” fundraiser during the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines on Aug. 17 violated the Hatch Act.
• The complaint, filed Sept. 11, contends Hegseth urged the audience to return Nunn to Congress while invoking his office and its responsibilities at the political event, where tickets ran from $26 to $3,500. Funds went to Team Nunn, a joint fundraising committee that includes Nunn’s campaign, his leadership political action committee and the National Republican Congressional Committee.
• [Hegseth] described Nunn “an ally to call who understands why it’s important to fund our military the way we need to fund it, but also do so in a fiscally responsible way.” 
• A spokesperson for Nunn did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
• The Washington Post’s Dan Lamothe reported Hegseth “used taxpayer-funded military aircraft for the trip.” The complaint asks the office to determine whether the Treasury was reimbursed, and if so, by whom and when. The group said it does not assert that reimbursement did not occur. It also asks for the aircraft’s full itinerary and what ethics advice preceded the appearance.
• The group also noted materials originally advertising the event in March, before it was postponed amid the onset of the Iran war, described Hegseth as a special guest and identified him as “Pete Hegseth,” without his official title. He wasn’t advertised as a speaker at the rescheduled event in August. It doesn’t take issue with the invitations but asks the office to investigate whether Hegseth used the resources of his department in connection to the fundraiser.

The Gazette: Ethics complaint asks federal office to investigate Pete Hegseth’s appearance at Zach Nunn Iowa fundraiser

• 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.
• 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.
• Nunn’s campaign did not immediately respond Monday to a message seeking comment.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Iowa Starting Line: Zach Nunn’s fundraiser with Hegseth violated the law per watchdog complaint

• Iowa Starting Line reported that the event appeared to run afoul of both the Hatch Act and the US Department of Defense’s own rules. In the DOD’s February 2026 political activity guidance for Senate-confirmed officials like Hegseth, it 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.”
• The Washington Post reported Hegseth used taxpayer-funded military aircraft for the trip. The complaint asks OSC to determine whether the Treasury was reimbursed, and by whom, and to preserve flight and trip records before they’re purged on routine accounting cycles.
• Richard Painter, a University of Minnesota law professor who served as chief White House ethics lawyer under President George W. Bush, told The Gazette the Iowa appearance “departs from the Defense Department guidelines” and that past secretaries “generally did not campaign” this way.