Pete Hegseth takes a highly unusual step sideways from his wartime duties as head of the Pentagon
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Monday began campaigning for a former member of the US Navy SEAL – a candidate facing one of President Donald Trump's main critics in the race for a seat in Congress – in a highly unusual appearance for an American military leader, Reuters writes.
At a rally in Kentucky, Hegseth endorsed Republican candidate Ed Gallrein and criticized incumbent House of Representatives Thomas Massie, who, while also a Republican, has consistently clashed with Trump over major legislation. Massie also led the campaign to release government files on convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Gallrein and Massie will face off Tuesday in what has become the most expensive primary race in House history.
“Too many times, Thomas Massie has acted as if his role was to distance himself from the movement led by President Trump, rather than strengthen it,” Hegseth said.
It is extremely unusual for defense secretaries to participate in political events, especially during wartime, as the US military wants to be apolitical, Reuters notes. However, Hegseth has broken the rules since taking office last year, leading Christian prayer services at the Pentagon, comparing news reporters to the enemies of Jesus and trying to sanction a Democratic senator who had urged members of the military to refuse illegal orders, the international news agency also writes.
Hegseth, addressing “all the attorneys” in attendance, said he was attending the Kentucky event as an individual — an important distinction given legal restrictions on federal employees' political activities.
The Pentagon said Hegseth did not violate the Hatch Act, which prohibits federal employees from using their official position to influence elections.
“No taxpayer money will be used to facilitate his visit. His participation has been thoroughly vetted and approved by attorneys,” Sean Parnell, the Pentagon's chief spokesman, said in a statement.
At the event, Hegseth said Gallrein would support Trump's agenda and blasted Massie as an obstructionist.
“When the movement needs unity, especially at critical moments, Massie is willing to vote with Democrats,” the Pentagon chief said.
Massie, in an appearance Sunday on ABC's “This Week,” said he gets a boost in fundraising every time Trump mentions him on social media and speculated that the president is “desperate” to get rid of him.
Trump ran a campaign of revenge against Republicans who opposed him. Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, who drew Trump's ire for voting to convict Trump in his second impeachment trial in 2021, lost his re-election race on Saturday after Trump endorsed a rival.
