War Secretary Pete Hegseth participated in a campaign rally on Monday for former Navy SEAL Ed Gallrein, who is running for Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District against incumbent Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY).Hegseth’s participation breaks a long-held norm that defense secretaries avoid partisan politics, though his willingness to wade into partisanship has long been a component of his tenure. There were also concerns, which the Pentagon disputed, that his appearance at the rally violated the Hatch Act, a law that limits the political activities of executive branch employees.“I have to say up front for the lawyers — I’m here in my personal capacity as a private citizen, a fellow American, and a fellow combat veteran, here to support Ed Gallrein,” Hegseth said in his opening remarks.
Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell told the Washington Examiner prior to the event that “No taxpayer dollars will be used to facilitate his visit. His participation has been thoroughly vetted and cleared by lawyers, including the Department of War Office of General Counsel, and does not violate the Hatch Act or any other applicable federal statute.”
Ed Gallrein, Republican congressional candidate for Kentucky, greets U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on stage during an America First Workers Special Event on May 18, 2026, in Hebron, Kentucky. (Photo by Jon Cherry/Getty Images)
