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Hegseth stumps for Massie challenger in stark break from Pentagon norms
The Hill ^ | May 18, 2026 | Ellen Mitchell

Posted on 05/18/2026 12:36:42 PM PDT by Miami Rebel

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.

(Excerpt) Read more at thehill.com ...


TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: gross; hegseth; massie; notappropriate
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To: DownThe405

“so what’s your point?”

Sorry for posting over your head. I will explain.

You posted that Massie was a conservative. He is not. He is a lame-brained Libertarian like his buddy Rand Paul.


41 posted on 05/18/2026 9:02:36 PM PDT by TexasGator
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To: TexasGator

Hey genius, being a libertarian and being conservative are not mutually exclusive things. I said he was conservative, not that he’s a republican.


42 posted on 05/18/2026 9:14:17 PM PDT by DownThe405
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To: pterional

What mosque do you go to.


43 posted on 05/19/2026 12:00:36 AM PDT by dennisw (Qatarlson the Insufferable blowhard. There is no limit to human stupidity. |||||||||||||||||||||||||)
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To: TexasGator

“You posted that Massie was a conservative. He is not. He is a lame-brained Libertarian like his buddy Rand Paul.”

Their libertarian act is good enough to have some FReepers hailing them as principled.


44 posted on 05/19/2026 2:04:17 AM PDT by dennisw (Qatarlson the Insufferable blowhard. There is no limit to human stupidity. |||||||||||||||||||||||||)
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To: DownThe405

“Hey genius, being a libertarian and being conservative are not mutually exclusive things. I said he was conservative, not that he’s a republican.”

How many conservatives voted to raise my taxes by thousands a year?

How many conservatives voted against E-Verify?

How many conservatives voted against cutting welfare programs?


45 posted on 05/19/2026 8:36:46 AM PDT by TexasGator
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To: dennisw

Stop your hate. I’m an American Christian.


46 posted on 05/19/2026 2:08:17 PM PDT by pterional
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