Hegseth travels to Iowa in his ‘personal capacity’ amid 2028 speculation
The Washington Post reports:
BLUF: Officials familiar with the defense secretary’s thinking believe he is considering a run for president or some other office after his time in the Trump administration ends.
By Dan Lamothe
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Monday is traveling to Iowa in his “personal capacity,” the Pentagon said in a statement, further fueling speculation that the former Fox News personality is mulling a run for president at some point.
The visit, reported earlier by CBS News, comes five months after Hegseth was scheduled to appear at a political rally and fundraising event with Rep. Zach Nunn (R-Iowa), who is running for reelection this year. That trip was postponed after several U.S. troops from Iowa were killed early in the war with Iran.
In response to questions, the Pentagon said in a statement that it does “not proactively announce events” that Hegseth attends “in his personal capacity.”
Hegseth will take a U.S.-funded military aircraft to Iowa, the Pentagon said. He is doing so because he is “designated as a ‘required use’ traveler” by the U.S. government “and is mandated to use military aircraft for all travel, both official and unofficial, due to the continuous need for secure communications and responsive transportation for national security.”
Officials familiar with Hegseth’s thinking believe that he is considering a run for president or some other political office after his time in the Trump administration is over. The travel to Iowa, a presidential campaign proving ground, fits that pattern, one of those officials said Monday, speaking on the condition of anonymity to be candid.
AI Generated Summary of + 1,100 readers’ comments on this article:
The comments express widespread disbelief and ridicule at the idea of Pete Hegseth considering a presidential run.
Many commenters mock his qualifications, suggesting he is delusional and unfit for the role, often referencing his involvement in the Iran war and his perceived incompetence.
There is a recurring theme of humor and sarcasm, with some commenters suggesting his candidacy would be entertaining or beneficial for opposing political parties.
(Doing everything except his job': Expert says Hegseth 'would be gone' in any normal admin
[media=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFHlwOjUxl4]
In the middle of a war, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth hit the campaign trail for a GOP candidate in Iowa. MS NOW Pentagon Reporter Priya Sridhar has more details. Staff Writer for The Atlantic Tom Nichols joins Alicia Menendez to share his thoughts on Hegseth's leadership.
BLUF: Officials familiar with the defense secretary’s thinking believe he is considering a run for president or some other office after his time in the Trump administration ends.
By Dan Lamothe
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Monday is traveling to Iowa in his “personal capacity,” the Pentagon said in a statement, further fueling speculation that the former Fox News personality is mulling a run for president at some point.
The visit, reported earlier by CBS News, comes five months after Hegseth was scheduled to appear at a political rally and fundraising event with Rep. Zach Nunn (R-Iowa), who is running for reelection this year. That trip was postponed after several U.S. troops from Iowa were killed early in the war with Iran.
In response to questions, the Pentagon said in a statement that it does “not proactively announce events” that Hegseth attends “in his personal capacity.”
Hegseth will take a U.S.-funded military aircraft to Iowa, the Pentagon said. He is doing so because he is “designated as a ‘required use’ traveler” by the U.S. government “and is mandated to use military aircraft for all travel, both official and unofficial, due to the continuous need for secure communications and responsive transportation for national security.”
Officials familiar with Hegseth’s thinking believe that he is considering a run for president or some other political office after his time in the Trump administration is over. The travel to Iowa, a presidential campaign proving ground, fits that pattern, one of those officials said Monday, speaking on the condition of anonymity to be candid.
AI Generated Summary of + 1,100 readers’ comments on this article:
The comments express widespread disbelief and ridicule at the idea of Pete Hegseth considering a presidential run.
Many commenters mock his qualifications, suggesting he is delusional and unfit for the role, often referencing his involvement in the Iran war and his perceived incompetence.
There is a recurring theme of humor and sarcasm, with some commenters suggesting his candidacy would be entertaining or beneficial for opposing political parties.
(Doing everything except his job': Expert says Hegseth 'would be gone' in any normal admin
[media=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFHlwOjUxl4]
In the middle of a war, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth hit the campaign trail for a GOP candidate in Iowa. MS NOW Pentagon Reporter Priya Sridhar has more details. Staff Writer for The Atlantic Tom Nichols joins Alicia Menendez to share his thoughts on Hegseth's leadership.
