Hegseth to go to Iowa today to campaign for GOP candidates, sources say
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was scheduled to head to Iowa on Monday to give remarks, speak to veterans and campaign, sources told CBS News.
August 17, 2026 / 2:17 PM EDT / CBS News
A parade of top Trump administration officials has been traveling to the battleground state in support of GOP candidates and for official business.
Spokespeople for the Pentagon didn't immediately answer a request for comment.
Among those who booked Iowa stops in recent days: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, Small Business Association Administrator Kelly Loeffler, VA Secretary Doug Collins, NATO's Matt Whitaker and others.
Although Iowa has been red for several cycles now, Democrats are bullish about their candidates this year. Two U.S. House seats, currently held by Republican Reps. Zach Nunn and Mariannette Miller-Meeks, are considered very competitive, and there are open races for both a U.S. Senate seat and the governor's office.