Buttigieg Hosts Iowa Town Hall on Veterans May 13

Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg will make his first public, in-person appearance since leaving the Biden administration by headlining a VoteVets Action Fund town hall in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on May 13. The event will focus on veterans' issues and recent policy decisions under the Trump administration, aiming to engage veterans, military families, and community members in discussions about threats to veterans' health care, economic stability, and democratic principles. Buttigieg's return to Iowa, where he performed well in the 2020 caucuses, has fueled speculation about a potential 2028 presidential run after he recently declined to seek a Michigan Senate seat. The town hall is part of Buttigieg's broader outreach strategy, which includes various formats like media appearances and town halls to connect with Americans about the effects of Trump-era policies. Despite Iowa no longer being the first state in the Democratic presidential nominating process, Buttigieg's visit is seen as significant for national political watchers. His adviser emphasized the importance of substantive dialogue with Americans as Buttigieg explores his next steps.