Hegseth stumps for Massie challenger in stark break from Pentagon norms

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........

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