Hegseth steps away from war duties to campaign against Trump foe

Source: Reuters

May 18, 2026 3:50 PM EDT Updated 3 hours ago


WASHINGTON, May 18 (Reuters) - Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth campaigned on Monday for a former Navy SEAL who is challenging one of President Donald Trump's top Republican targets ​in Congress, in a highly unusual appearance for a U.S. military leader.

At a rally ‌in Kentucky, Hegseth endorsed Republican candidate Ed Gallrein and criticized incumbent Representative Thomas Massie, who has been at odds with Trump over major legislation and led the drive to release government files on the convicted sex ​offender Jeffrey Epstein. The two face off on Tuesday in what has become the most ​expensive House of Representatives primary in history. "Too often, Thomas Massie has acted like ⁠his job is to stand apart from the movement that President Trump leads instead of ​strengthening it," Hegseth said.

It is highly unusual for defense secretaries to appear at political events, especially ​during wartime, as the U.S. military is meant to be apolitical. However, Hegseth has challenged norms since taking the job last year by leading Christian prayer services at the Pentagon, comparing news reporters to enemies of Jesus, and seeking to ​sanction a Democratic senator who had urged service members to reject unlawful orders.

Hegseth, addressing "all the ​lawyers" listening, said he was attending the event in Kentucky in a personal capacity -- an important distinction given ‌legal restrictions ⁠on political activities of federal employees. The Pentagon said Hegseth was not violating the Hatch Act, which prohibits federal employees from using their official capacity to affect elections.

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/hegseth-steps-away-war-duties-campaign-against-trump-foe-2026-05-18/