Pete Buttigieg hammers Trump at Iowa town hall amid 2028 presidential speculation

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: NBC News

May 13, 2025, 9:19 PM EDT / Updated May 14, 2025, 4:51 AM EDT


Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg took aim at the Trump administration in an Iowa town hall and discussed the Democratic Party's path forward — amid speculation about a potential Democratic presidential bid of his own in 2028.

Buttigieg opened his remarks at the event, hosted in Cedar Rapids by the progressive group VoteVets Action Fund, by saying that progressives, conservatives, and libertarians should be able to unite around the an understanding that freedom "means freedom from overbearing government.""At a moment when the president of the United States thinks he could send you to another country, or shut down the broadcast license of a TV station, if he doesn’t like what it has to say — that is not freedom," Buttigieg said.

During a Q&A session with attendees, Buttigieg fielded questions on subjects including the Trump administration threatening to suspend habeas corpus, contending that lawmakers who have been silent figure they "have more to fear from the president of the United States than the people of the United States.” "I am convinced that members of Congress and the president’s party know that this is wrong," Buttigieg said, while urging audience members to grab lawmakers' attention in peaceful ways, as many Republicans shy away from holding town halls.

Responding to a question about due process, Buttigieg criticized the Trump administration over its failure to facilitate the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was mistakenly deported to a prison in El Salvador in March. "One person, least of all, no one politician, gets to decide that you’re a criminal," Buttigieg said. President Donald Trump has said he “could” arrange for Abrego Garcia’s return with a phone call, contrasting claims his administration has made in court that it cannot get him back.

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/pete-buttigieg-hammers-trump-iowa-town-hall-2028-presidential-speculat-rcna182754

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[Dulcinea]

1. I hope he changes his mind about running for Senate.

He'd make an excellent Senator, & put to rest any doubts anyone may have about him being able to win a big election.

[lark]

3. Is the timing right for that?

I would love for him to be the next presidential candidate from our party but could he win a senate seat, be there long enough to do that? He is the best communicator we have.

[fujiyamasan]

8. It's for the open seat in Michigan in '26

There’s time to jump in but the primary will be competitive. Several other potential contenders have statewide name recognition and he could be tarred a “carpetbagger” since he moved there recently.

I wish Biden had given him a more prominent role in his administration. He was certainly effective as secretary of transportation, but it’s not considered a particularly prestigious cabinet post.

It’s a tough springboard from small town major, to one term cabinet, to president. I personally think that poses a larger challenge than the homophobia he would face. Several openly gay and lesbian people have been elected statewide in swing states.

[2naSalit]

2. K&R

[LittleGirl]

4. Pete is our future

I look forward to voting for him for POTUS.

[NNadir]

5. Go Pete! Perhaps he can be a player in following the American tradition of...

...following a disastrous Presidency with a great one. We had Biden first time around. Pete could do it the second time around.

[Deminpenn]

6. He is on Bill Clinton's level as a communicator

and explainer.

[ShazzieB]

7. That was wonderful!

I didn't know if I was going to watch the whole thing, but I ended up getting completely absorbed. Pete was9 fantastic!

I would to see him as President, and I believe he could do a great job. My only worry is all the homophobia in this country, and whether it would be too much of an obstacle.p for him to overcome. I hate to think of what he and Chasten and the kids might be subjected to. But "Pres. Pete Buttigieg" does have a very nice ring to it!