Republican Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa declared her support for Pete Hegseth as the nominee for defense secretary, following his questioning by senators. Ernst's endorsement is expected to secure enough votes for Hegseth's nomination to advance to the Senate floor, significantly boosting his chances of confirmation.
Ernst expressed satisfaction with Hegseth's responses during the Senate Armed Services committee hearing, stating that he effectively addressed her concerns regarding 'woke' issues at the Pentagon. She emphasized that Hegseth's stance on critical matters is now clear, leading her to back President Trump's choice for the defense secretary position.
After confirming her support in an interview, Ernst swiftly departed from her Capitol Hill office, evading inquiries from reporters as she hurriedly left the premises. She assured that a formal statement on Hegseth would be released shortly.
During the hearing, Hegseth pledged to appoint a senior official dedicated to enhancing sexual assault prevention and response within the military. Ernst, a vocal advocate for women in the armed forces, engaged in multiple discussions with Hegseth before the hearing, focusing on topics such as the Department of Defense audit, women in combat roles, and strategies to combat sexual assault in the military.
