U.S. Representative Zach Nunn (R-IA), who is running for re-election with President Trump’s endorsement, is promoting an upcoming fundraising event in Iowa with “special guest” U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.
On Tuesday, after four American soldiers were killed during the first days of the war with Iran, Nunn — a U.S. Air Force combat veteran — shared the “Operation Top Nunn – Salute to the Troops” ad below. It reads: “WINGMAN CONFIRMED: Secretary @PeteHegseth is coming to Iowa. Join me on Saturday, March 14 for Operation Top Nunn: Salute to the Troops — a tribute to the brave men and women who wear the uniform and defend our freedom.”
Note: All four of the American soldiers who were killed had been stationed in Nunn’s district before deployment.
WINGMAN CONFIRMED: Secretary @PeteHegseth is coming to Iowa.
Join me on Saturday, March 14 for Operation Top Nunn: Salute to the Troops — a tribute to the brave men and women who wear the uniform and defend our freedom.
Ankeny Regional Airport
12:00 PM
… pic.twitter.com/V3fXkwDOlu
— Zach Nunn (@NunnForCongress) March 3, 2026
Some Democrats say the event is inappropriate including U.S. Senator Mark Warner (D-VA), the top Democrat on the Intelligence Committee, who said it was “disrespectful and unseemly when he and the president acknowledge there’s going to be probably many more victims to come.”
Iowa State Rep. J.D. Scholten (D) replied to Nunn’s post: “Kash Patel partying in Italy while the FBI had the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, a gunman breaching Mar-a-Lago, and the Mexican gov’t killing a cartel leader. Now @PeteHegseth is campaigning for a Congressman while we are ‘involved’ in Iran… Shouldn’t these guys be busier?”
Note: The “Operation Top Nunn” event will be held at Ankeny Regional Airport from 12-2. Individual tickets are being sold for $26. Those who pay $1,000 or $3,500 also gain admittance to a VIP reception.