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.
99 Articles
99 Articles
Pentagon Says Hegseth Campaigned Against Massie in ‘Personal Capacity’
Hebron, Kentucky — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth campaigned Monday for Trump-backed congressional candidate Ed Gallrein in Kentucky, prompting criticism from watchdog groups and renewed attention on the increasingly bitter Republican primary battle against Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY). The Pentagon said Hegseth attended the rally in a “personal capacity” and did not use taxpayer resources for the appearance. Because Hegseth is a Senate-confirmed p…
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 …
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