Defense

Hegseth stumps for Massie challenger in stark break from Pentagon norms

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by Ellen Mitchell - 05/18/26 2:54 PM ET

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by Ellen Mitchell - 05/18/26 2:54 PM ET

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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth hit the campaign trail on Monday to help former Navy SEAL Ed Gallrein in his bid to unseat Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) in a GOP primary, a highly unusual move for any head of the Pentagon.

Hegseth appeared alongside Gallrein, who President Trump is backing against Massie, at a rally in Hebron, Ky., hosted by the Trump-allied group, America First Works.

Coming out to the opening notes of Van Halen’s “Jump,” heavy applause and chants of “USA!”, Hegseth quickly launched into a full-throated endorsement of Gallrein, who he described as a reinforcement to Trump’s agenda.

“President Trump needs reinforcements, and that’s what war fighters do. They stand behind leaders and have their back,” said the former Army National Guard infantryman. “War fighters understand mission, they understand teamwork, they understand loyalty, and they understand that in the middle of a fight, you don’t weaken your own side to advance to the objective, and that’s what Ed Galline understands, because he has lived it.”

Massie, a libertarian who has criticized the Iran war and unconditional U.S. military aid to Israel, has been a thorn in the president’s side on numerous issues.

Massie voted against the enormous tax cut legislation known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” pressed for the release of government files related to late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and most recently joined House Democrats in voting for a resolution which would have directed Trump to remove U.S. armed forces from hostilities against Iran.

Hegseth on Monday painted Massie as an obstructionist, arguing that, “At some point, being against everything becomes an excuse for accomplishing nothing.”

Massie’s record “speaks for itself,” Hegseth said. “Too much grandstanding, too few great votes, years of acting like being difficult is the same thing as being courageous, it’s not. Real courage means stepping up when the mission matters most, when we need that tough vote to beat left-wing lunatic Democrats the most. Real courage means understanding that this country is facing existential threats and deciding to be part of the solution instead of constantly trying to position yourself above the fight.”

The appearance marks a breach of the tradition that a serving Defense secretary stay away from such political activities to maintain the military’s apolitical image.

And though he is no longer in uniform himself, Hegseth’s stance runs counter to the Pentagon’s long-standing military directive that prohibits service members from displaying political views while in uniform.

Critics also have pointed to a potential violation of the Hatch Act – which limits executive branch employees from using government resources or their official titles for partisan political activity – though Hegseth aides have insisted he was already in the state as part of official duties and attended the event “in his personal capacity.”

“No taxpayer dollars will be used to facilitate his visit. His participation has been thoroughly vetted and cleared by lawyers, including the Department of War Office of General Counsel, and does not violate the Hatch Act or any other applicable federal statute,” according to chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell.

Hegseth is no stranger to controversy since entering the Pentagon last year. Democrats have accused the former Fox News personality of forcefully attempting to erode the military’s independence through the removal of generals, admirals and Defense Department lawyers deemed to not be loyal enough, while Hegseth has defended the firings as necessary to carry out Trump’s directives.

“The sooner we have the right people, the sooner we can advance the right policies. But if the words I’m speaking today are making your heart sink, then you should do the honorable thing and resign,” he said at an extraordinary September meeting of hundreds of military leaders in Quantico, Va.

Trump also has pushed the boundaries of decorum in holding rallies at military bases, including last year at Fort Bragg, N.C., where military leaders reportedly vetted soldiers attending based on their political beliefs.

Hegseth’s appearance at the rally comes as he has reportedly mulled his own inroads into elected office, privately discussing the idea of running for governor next year in Tennessee, NBC News reported.

The Pentagon chief previously ran for a Senate seat in his home state, Minnesota, in 2012, but withdrew after he failed to win the GOP nomination.

Any future political campai