Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is coming to Northern Kentucky to rally support for congressional candidate Ed Gallrein on Monday, a Trump-aligned political organization says.America First Works put out a press release on Saturday announcing the upcoming appearance by the defense secretary as a guest speaker at a rally that will be held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Hebron.The event is slated to start at 1 p.m. and will also see America First Works president Ashley Hayek speak at the event, in addition to Gallrein himself.Gallrein, a former Navy SEAL, is currently running for the Republican nomination for Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District, a seat that has been held by Rep. Thomas Massie since 2012.This comes as Massie has been President Donald Trump’s top target within the Republican Party that he has sought to replace in Congress during his second term in office. Over the past year, Massie has frequently gone against the GOP’s congressional ranks to vote against key parts of the Trump administration’s agenda, including by casting votes against the Iran War, tariffs, and “The Big Beautiful Bill.” Massie also spearheaded the release of the federal government’s files on convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein last fall, a move that repeatedly drew the president’s ire on social media.While traditionally common for presidents, senators, governors, and other elected officials to rally support for congressional candidates, Hegseth’s entrance into congressional politics marks a highly unusual move for a sitting defense secretary, with top military officials in the past traditionally going to significant lengths to be seen as apolitical to the public.The move also comes as the Iran War enters its 12th week, with the Strait of Hormuz continuing to remain closed to commercial traffic, even as a temporary ceasefire remains in effect between the United States and Iran.Hayek says that the visit will seek to bolster support for Gallrein and the president’s agenda in Northern Kentucky, calling Hegseth a “leader of the America First movement.”“This event will provide a unique chance for the American people to hear from leaders of the America First movement and patriots who share the values that made our Nation great,” Hayek said. “Our Nation is experiencing a comeback like never before, but we must fight to keep these America First principles going or risk losing what we’ve gained. We are thrilled to host this event in Northern Kentucky with the Honorable Pete Hegseth and Ed Gallrein to discuss the ideas and values driving America’s renewal and shaping our future.”Kentucky’s primary election is scheduled to be held on Tuesday.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is coming to Northern Kentucky to rally support for congressional candidate Ed Gallrein on Monday, a Trump-aligned political organization says.
America First Works put out a press release on Saturday announcing the upcoming appearance by the defense secretary as a guest speaker at a rally that will be held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Hebron.
The event is slated to start at 1 p.m. and will also see America First Works president Ashley Hayek speak at the event, in addition to Gallrein himself.
Gallrein, a former Navy SEAL, is currently running for the Republican nomination for Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District, a seat that has been held by Rep. Thomas Massie since 2012.
This comes as Massie has been President Donald Trump’s top target within the Republican Party that he has sought to replace in Congress during his second term in office. Over the past year, Massie has frequently gone against the GOP’s congressional ranks to vote against key parts of the Trump administration’s agenda, including by casting votes against the Iran War, tariffs, and “The Big Beautiful Bill.” Massie also spearheaded the release of the federal government’s files on convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein last fall, a move that repeatedly drew the president’s ire on social media.
While traditionally common for presidents, senators, governors, and other elected officials to rally support for congressional candidates, Hegseth’s entrance into congressional politics marks a highly unusual move for a sitting defense secretary, with top military officials in the past traditionally going to significant lengths to be seen as apolitical to the public.
The move also comes as the Iran War enters its 12th week, with the Strait of Hormuz continuing to remain closed to commercial traffic, even as a temporary ceasefire remains in effect between the United States and Iran.
Hayek says that the visit will seek to bolster support for Gallrein and the president’s agenda in Northern Kentucky, calling Hegseth a “leader of the America First movement.”
“This event will provide a unique chance for the American people to hear from leaders of the America First movement and patriots who share the values that made our Nation great,” Hayek said. “Our Nation is experiencing a comeback like never before, but we must fight to keep these America First principles going or risk losing what we’ve gained. We are thrilled to host this event in Northern Kentucky with the Honorable Pete Hegseth and Ed Gallrein to discuss the ideas and values driving America’s renewal and shaping our future.”
Kentucky’s primary election is scheduled to be held on Tuesday.