Pentagon backs Hegseth after scrutiny over Kentucky campaign appearance
WASHINGTON, DC: The Pentagon on Monday, May 18, defended Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over criticism surrounding his planned appearance at a campaign rally in Kentucky for a Republican congressional candidate challenging Rep Thomas Massie.
The controversy centers on Hegseth’s decision to appear alongside former Navy SEAL Ed Gallrein, the Trump-endorsed Republican seeking to unseat Massie in Tuesday’s GOP primary in Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District.
Pentagon says event does not violate federal law
Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said the defense secretary would attend the political event strictly in a personal capacity and that no government funds would be used for the visit.
According to the Pentagon, the appearance was reviewed by legal advisers, including the Department of Defense Office of General Counsel, and was found not to violate the Hatch Act or other federal laws governing political activity by executive branch officials.
The Hatch Act restricts most federal employees from engaging in partisan political activity while using official authority or government resources.
The president and vice president are exempt from the law, but Cabinet officials are generally expected to avoid overt political campaigning tied to their positions.
Critics warn of politicizing the military
Hegseth’s planned appearance has sparked criticism from both legal observers and political commentators, who argue it risks blurring the line between military leadership and partisan politics.
Retired Army Reserve officer and counterintelligence expert Lawrence Sellin wrote on X that Hegseth could face Hatch Act concerns if he intervenes in a congressional primary in his official role as defense secretary.
Conservative political operative Ivan Raiklin also weighed in, suggesting the so-called “Deep State” was attempting to push Hegseth into a politically damaging situation.
Despite the criticism, Pentagon officials insisted the campaign stop was ethically and legally permissible.
The event comes after Hegseth’s official engagements in Kentucky, where he is scheduled to award Purple Heart medals to soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division and administer enlistment oaths to nearly 200 reenlisting troops at Fort Campbell.
After those official duties, Hegseth is expected to attend Gallrein’s rally, organized by the conservative advocacy group America First Works.
Kentucky race becomes major GOP battleground
The Republican primary contest has emerged as one of the most closely watched House races in the country and, according to AdImpact, has become the most expensive House primary in US history.
More than $25 million has reportedly been spent on television, radio and digital advertising tied to the race.
US President Donald Trump endorsed Gallrein in October, backing the candidate as a loyal supporter of the administration’s agenda.
Massie, by contrast, has repeatedly broken with Trump on key policy issues, including tax legislation and US involvement in the conflict with Iran.
Last week, Massie joined two other House Republicans in supporting a resolution calling for the withdrawal of US armed forces from hostilities involving Iran, further deepening tensions with the White House.
Trump intensifies attacks on Massie
Trump escalated his criticism of Massie over the weekend, calling the Kentucky congressman “the worst and most unreliable Republican Congressman” in a post on Truth Social.
The president also linked Massie’s opposition to his policies with broader frustrations inside the Republican Party.
Massie, however, dismissed the attacks and argued the administration’s aggressive push against him reflected political weakness rather than strength.
Speaking on ABC News’s “This Week” on Sunday, Massie said Trump’s efforts to remove him from office were helping boost fundraising and energizing his supporters.
“You can tell that I’m ahead in the polls and they’re desperate,” Massie said, adding that the administration’s decision to send the “secretary of War” to campaign in his district underscored the stakes of the race.
