US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth joins Rep. Zach Nunn at Iowa State Fair

By: Robin Opsahl

Outlets: Iowa Capital Dispatch

Published: August 17, 2026

Words: 681

Last Updated: 20 hours, 3 minutes ago

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U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told Iowa State Fairgoers Monday he honored the Iowa soldiers killed in Kuwait, while saying the U.S.-Iran conflict was necessary to keep Americans safe.

The defense secretary also spoke on the anti-DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) policies and other changes made at the U.S. Department of Defense, renamed the “Department of War” since President Donald Trump took office for a second term. He said “at the Department of War, we …

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