Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg returned to the political spotlight this week with a virtual town hall appearance for VoteVets in Iowa, prompting speculation about future ambitions and drawing renewed attention to his record.

What are your thoughts on Pete Buttigieg’s beard? pic.twitter.com/YX1a5NuANc

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During the event, Buttigieg weighed in on Joe Biden’s impact on the Democratic Party and discussed upcoming political challenges, even as observers noted signs of a rebrand.

The Iowa appearance — a key early-state stop in presidential primary campaigns — comes amid broader Democratic Party debates following a turbulent election cycle and growing questions about party leadership.

Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, previously ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020 and remained a visible figure within the Biden-Harris administration until Donald Trump soundly defeated them in the 2024 election

Buttigieg addressed Biden’s role in the party’s recent challenges, saying, “Right now, with the benefit of hindsight, I think most people would agree that that’s the case.”

NEW: Pete Buttigieg declines to say to me whether Biden experienced cognitive decline in office.

“Every time I needed something from him from the West Wing, I got it.”

But on whether the party would’ve been better off had Biden not run: “Right now with the benefit of…

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However, Buttigieg quickly shifted the conversation toward the future. “We’re also not in a position to wallow in hindsight,” he said.

“We’ve got to get ready for some fundamental tests of the future of this country and this party, some of which are going on this very year, and many which will come next year.”

The Secretary’s Iowa appearance and commentary on the direction of the Democratic Party have fueled questions about his potential plans for 2026 and 2028.

Though Buttigieg has not announced any future campaigns, his continued presence in early primary states and evolving public messaging have drawn notice.

Observers also pointed to Buttigieg’s recent stylistic changes, including the addition of a beard, as part of what some see as a broader effort to reframe his public image ahead of possible political moves.

Changes to his social media presence and a pivot away from diversity-focused rhetoric have added to the speculation.

During his tenure as Secretary of Transportation, Buttigieg has faced criticism over his handling of various infrastructure challenges, including supply chain disruptions and major transportation delays.

Critics have pointed to what they describe as a lack of results during his time in the role and accused him of focusing on symbolic issues rather than practical solutions.

Before joining the Biden-Harris administration, Buttigieg served as mayor of South Bend from 2012 to 2020.

His record there has also drawn scrutiny. One high-profile incident involved the 2019 police shooting of Eric Logan, which sparked protests and prompted criticism of Buttigieg’s handling of community tensions.

His decision not to seek statewide office in Indiana, instead turning his attention to Michigan, has been interpreted by some as an attempt to reset politically.

Buttigieg did not address future campaign plans during the Iowa town hall, but his remarks suggest he plans to remain active in Democratic political discussions.

He emphasized the importance of organizing and preparing for upcoming elections, stating that the party faces “fundamental tests” in the years ahead.

The VoteVets event was part of a broader effort to engage with Democratic voters in key battleground states.

First, why is Pete Buttigieg trying to transform himself into Jimmy Kimmel?

Second, they’ll never escape the core DNA of the Democratic Party, which is to fight harder for illegal aliens than actual American citizens. pic.twitter.com/duS7ZayXM8

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