Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Faces Hatch Act Complaint Over Zach Nunn Fundraiser Appearance
A nonpartisan group, The Steady State, has filed a complaint with the U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) alleging that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth violated the Hatch Act. The complaint stems from Hegseth's appearance as a headliner at a ticketed campaign fundraiser for U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn at the Iowa State Fair on August 17. Tickets for the event ranged from $26 to $3,500, with proceeds benefiting a joint fundraising committee for Nunn's campaign, his leadership PAC, and the National Republican Congressional Committee. The Steady State, composed of former national security officials, claims Hegseth's speech, where he advocated for Nunn's re-election and discussed the Pentagon's funding, violated federal rules limiting political activities for federal employees. The complaint also highlights that the Department of Defense's own political activity guidance for Senate-confirmed officials prohibits organizing or speaking at political fundraisers. Hegseth stated at the event that he was there in a 'persona...
