Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth campaigns in Kentucky on Monday for Ed Gallrein, a Trump-backed challenger to Rep. Thomas Massie in Tuesday’s Republican primary, drawing criticism and prompting a response from Pentagon officials. According to the Pentagon, Hegseth attends the event in his “personal capacity,” with chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell stating the appearance is not an official Pentagon action.
Multiple outlets describe Hegseth joining Gallrein at a rally in Hebron, Kentucky, a move considered unusual for a defense secretary. Coverage also reports Hegseth delivers remarks framing the race as a choice between “war fighters” and obstructionists, urging that Congress include more people willing to back the president’s agenda on national security and defense issues.
Rep. Massie responds by saying the campaign event signals Gallrein’s effort is “imploding,” pointing to the fact that Hegseth and President Trump have been associated with U.S. military operations in the region. Other reporting characterizes Hegseth’s involvement as giving Gallrein a political boost ahead of the primary.
