Combat Veteran, Sexual Assault Survivor Senator Backs Hegseth for Defense Secretary
Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa speaks at the Senate Armed Services Committee confirmation hearing for Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's choice to be Defense secretary, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Military.com | By Rebecca Kheel
Published January 15, 2025 at 2:17pm ET
A key senator who had been seen as a potential barrier to Pete Hegseth's confirmation as defense secretary has come out in support of him, signaling that Hegseth is now likely on a glide path to getting approved.
In a Tuesday evening interview with a radio station in her home state, followed by a written statement, Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, announced that she will vote to confirm Hegseth. Signs had been pointing in that direction, including her friendly exchange with Hegseth during his confirmation hearing hours earlier on Tuesday, but the comments made Ernst's position official and suggested any remaining hurdles to Hegseth's confirmation were falling.
"After four years of weakness in the White House, Americans deserve a strong secretary of defense," Ernst said in her written statement. "Our next commander in chief selected Pete Hegseth to serve in this role, and after our conversations, hearing from Iowans, and doing my job as a United States senator, I will support President Trump's pick for secretary of defense."
https://www.military.com/daily-news/2025/01/15/hegseth-wins-support-of-key-senator-confirmation-appears-more-assured.html
