In unprecedented move, Secretary Hegseth hits campaign trail amid Iran war

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made an unprecedented move to hit the campaign trail in support of a former Navy SEAL who is trying to unseat longtime Republican congressman and Trump antagonist Thomas Massie.

Hegseth joined fifth-generation farmer Ed Gallrein at a campaign event on Monday — one day before the commonwealth’s primary election — urging voters to support him over incumbent Massie in Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District race.

While Hegseth insisted that his presence at this campaign event was done in a “personal capacity as a private citizen” rather than as an administration official, there is no known precedent for a sitting secretary of defense to campaign for a congressional candidate.

His appearance also came at the U.S. entered its 12th week of war in Iran.

After Hegseth’s appearance, President Donald Trump posted to his social media account that he had just postponed a planned attack on Iran set for Tuesday.

Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement to ABC News before the event that “no taxpayer dollars will be used to facilitate his visit.”

Hegseth was in Fort Campbell, Kentucky, earlier Monday to preside over a Purple Heart ceremony. 

“[Hegseth’s] 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,” Parnell added.

Throughout the course of his remarks, Hegseth repeatedly stressed Trump’s need to “bolster” the Republican party’s ranks with “reinforcements” that will vote in line with his agenda.  

“We need reinforcement from Republicans, and that fight requires a Congress full of warriors, including Ed. This one, ladies and gentlemen, is a no-brainer,” Hegseth said.

Hegseth echoed Trump in bashing Massie, who has often spoken out against the president’s agenda, which has prompted the president to support Gallrein in an effort to oust Massie.

“When President Trump needs backup, Massie wants to debate process. When the movement needs unity, especially at the biggest moments, Massie is willing to vote with Democrats. When conservatives are fighting the most radical left in American history, too often Massie’s instinct is to throw elbows at fellow Republicans,” Hegseth said. 

Hegseth compared the two candidates, presenting Kentuckians with the following choice: “You can send a warrior, reinforcements for the president in our shared fight against the radical left, or you can send an obstructionist. In my mind, it’s an easy choice.”

Hegseth spoke at length about Gallrein’s Navy experience, claiming that his previous rank demonstrates his ability to effectively lead and proves that others are willing to trust him.

Speaking immediately before Hegseth, Gallrein expressed his gratitude for the defense secretary and taking the time to campaign on his behalf.

“Think about where we are in history right now, and you’re having the secretary of war coming here to little old Kentucky to see you today. Is that something? That’s something to be proud of. That reflects on you. I can’t take credit for that. That reflects on you,” Gallrein told the crowd. 

Gallrein extensively praised Trump’s vision for America’s military and his “peace through strength” agenda, calling this a “matter of our nation’s survival.”

While stressing the importance of Tuesday’s primary election, Gallrein argued that the outcome will have a far-reaching impact affecting generations to come.

“… President Trump’s vision for the strongest military in the world is …. a matter of our nation’s survival,” Gallrein said. “And today under President Trump, Pete Hegseth, we’re finally moving back in the right direction.”

ABC News has reached out to Massie’s campaign for comment.

ABC News’ Oren Oppenheim and Steve Beynon contributed to this report.