Pentagon says Hegseth campaigning against Massie in ‘personal capacity’
Democracy Forward says Hegseth’s remarks violated Pentagon political activity rules as he backed Trump’s challenger in the most expensive House primary in history.
- On Monday, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth campaigned for Republican challenger Ed Gallrein in Hebron, Kentucky, sparking criticism that his partisan involvement violates the Hatch Act.
- President Donald Trump's administration seeks to unseat incumbent Representative Thomas Massie, a critic of the Iran war, in the 4th Congressional District primary as a test of Trump's political influence.
- The Pentagon stated Hegseth attended "in his personal capacity" without taxpayer funding; his status as a presidential appointee Senate-confirmed official grants him "less restricted" rights to engage in partisan activities.
- Massie told ABC News on Sunday that the administration's involvement proves they are "desperate" to remove him, citing $3 million in AIPAC funding ahead of Tuesday's primary vote.
- Analysts suggest Hegseth's rally appearance serves as a potential campaign debut for the defense secretary, while the primary outcome will test Trump's durability within the Republican Party.
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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 …
Military Times
Hegseth campaigns for congressional race, breaking with Pentagon neutrality
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Monday campaigned for a congressional challenger endorsed by President Donald Trump in a move that has sparked outcry.
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…
Hegseth Campaigns for Trump-Backed Massie Challenger a Day Before Kentucky Primary
HEBRON, Ky.—One day before voters in Kentucky’s Fourth Congressional District head to the polls to determine if incumbent Republican Rep. Thomas Massie is nominated to run for another term, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth campaigned for challenger Ed Gallrein, who is endorsed by President Donald Trump. Hosted by America First Works, a Trump-aligned nonprofit organization that advocates for the “America First” agenda, the rally was billed as a cele…
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.
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