Iowa Republican U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst issued a more positive assessment on Monday after a second meeting with Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s embattled pick to lead the U.S. Department of Defense.
“I appreciate Pete Hegseth’s responsiveness and respect for the process,” Ernst said in a statement. “Following our encouraging conversations, Pete committed to completing a full audit of the Pentagon and selecting a senior official who will uphold the roles and value of our servicemen and women — based on quality and standards, not quotas — and who will prioritize and strengthen my work to prevent sexual assault within the ranks.
“As I support Pete through this process, I look forward to a fair hearing based on truth, not anonymous sources.”
Ernst's staff did not immediately respond to a message Monday afternoon seeking to clarify whether her statement means she will vote in support of Hegseth's nomination.
Asked by CNN if she would vote “yes” on Hegseth’s nomination, Ernst repeated her statement and said: “I’m supporting the process.”
The pair also met last week, in what Ernst said had been “a very frank and productive conversation.” But in a
Fox News interview the next day, she said
she had not gotten to a "yes" on his confirmation.
Ernst, a retired lieutenant colonel in the Iowa Army National Guard,
faced backlash from Trump supporters and MAGA activists for her hesitancy to back Hegseth amid a building pressure campaign to confirm Trump’s pick to head the Pentagon. Some Republicans have threatened to primary her if she runs for re-election in 2026.
Hegseth faces allegations of sexual impropriety, financial mismanagement, public drunkenness and other personal misconduct.
Hegseth has denied the allegations.
Hegseth is an Army National Guard veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Most recently he was a Fox News host.
Ernst is the first female combat veteran to be elected to the U.S. Senate, is a sexual assault survivor and has pushed legislation to address sexual assault and harassment in the military.
Hegseth has in the past said he believes that women should not serve in combat roles in the U.S. military. And in 2017, a California police report included allegations that Hegseth sexually assaulted a woman at a conference. No charges were filed over the incident, and Hegseth and the woman settled out of court.
A member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Ernst is seen as a crucial swing vote and key holdout who could determine whether he wins Senate approval.
Hegseth told reporters Monday at the U.S. Capitol that it was a "great meeting."
“She had been dedicated to making the Pentagon work for war-fighters for a long time,” Hegseth said,
according to The Hill. “We’ve had great extensive conversations about that, and I just appreciate her commitment to the process, and we look forward to working together.”
Iowa Republican U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst issued a more positive assessment on Monday after a second meeting with Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s embattled pick to lead the U.S. Department of Defense.
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