Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth participated in campaign activities while the United States was engaged in military operations related to Iran, according to reports from multiple news outlets.

The Pentagon stated that no taxpayer funds were used for the campaign-related visit, addressing potential concerns about the use of government resources for political activities.

The campaign activities occurred during a period when Hegseth would typically be focused on his duties overseeing Defense Department operations, including ongoing military matters involving Iran.

Federal ethics rules generally prohibit the use of government resources for political campaign purposes, though senior officials are permitted to engage in political activities using personal time and private funding.

The timing of the campaign activities during active military operations represents an unusual situation for a sitting Defense Secretary, as the position typically requires full attention to national security matters during periods of heightened military activity.