Pentagon says Hegseth campaigning against Massie in ‘personal capacity’
Democracy Forward says Hegseth’s speech for a Trump-backed challenger violated Pentagon political activity rules and the Hatch Act, citing his attack on Massie.
- On Monday, Democracy Forward requested a Defense Department inspector general investigation into Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, arguing his Kentucky campaign speech violated Pentagon political activity rules under the Hatch Act.
- At a campaign event for retired Navy SEAL Ed Gallrein on Monday, Hegseth criticized Rep. Thomas Massie, calling him an obstacle to President Donald Trump's agenda—a display The New York Times described as "highly unusual."
- Massie faces a Kentucky primary amid record-breaking spending; he claimed the American Israel Public Affairs Committee funneled $3 million into his race after Trump called him the "worst Republican congressman in history."
- Skye Perryman, CEO of Democracy Forward, asserted Hegseth "doubled down" on political activity, while the watchdog noted he was previously scheduled to headline a fundraiser for Rep. Zach Nunn in March, indicating a pattern.
- Voters in Kentucky head to the polls on Tuesday to decide the Republican primary; the race, which saw $2 million in donations to a pro-Trump PAC, serves as a test of Massie's political independence.
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The New York Ledger
Hegseth unleashes on Massie in GOP primary showdown against Trump-backed Navy SEAL vet
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! HEBRON, KY – Ed Gallrein, the Republican congressional candidate backed by President Donald Trump who is challenging Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky for the GOP nomination, landed extra firepower on the eve of the state’s primary. Gallrein, a former Navy SEAL and Kentucky farmer, was joined on the campaign trail Monday by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. Massie has long been one of Trump’s most vocal GOP …
Hegseth unleashes on Massie in GOP primary showdown against Trump-backed Navy SEAL vet – Democratic Accent
HEBRON, KY – Ed Gallrein, the Republican congressional candidate backed by President Donald Trump who is challenging Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky for the GOP nomination, landed extra firepower on the eve of the state’s primary. Gallrein, a former Navy SEAL and Kentucky farmer, was joined on the campaign trail Monday by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. Massie has long been one of Trump’s most vocal GOP critics in Congress and the Republican prima…
Thomas Massie Wants to End Trump’s Iran War—So Pete Hegseth Wants to End Massie
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is being accused of violating his department's longstanding Pentagon policy by going scorched earth on the campaign trail in Kentucky against the leading Republican critic of his war against Iran, Rep. Thomas Massie.
Just ahead of Tuesday voting, Hegseth stumps for Massie opponent in KY GOP primary • Kentucky Lantern
HEBRON, KENTUCKY - MAY 18: Ed Gallrein, Republican congressional candidate for Kentucky, greets U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on stage during an America First Workers Special Event on May 18, 2026 in Hebron, Kentucky. This campaign event is being held one day before Kentucky's Primary Election, where Trump-endorsed Gallrein is running against incumbent Thomas Massie. (Photo by Jon Cherry/Getty Images)HEBRON —In what’s become the most expens…
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