Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), a key GOP vote within the Senate’s affirmation of Trump nominees, has lately come beneath hearth for her opposition to Pete Hegseth’s nomination as Secretary of Protection.
On Sunday, she introduced plans to satisfy with Hegseth however remained obscure on whether or not she would vote to substantiate him.
On Monday, Ernst met with Hegseth in what Hegseth described as a “excellent assembly.”
Hegseth, who has identified Ernst for 10 years, shared, “The extra we speak, the extra we’re reminded that we’re two fight veterans and we’re devoted to protection.”
.@hegseth emerges from a second assembly with Sen. Ernst calling it a “excellent assembly.” He stated he’s identified her for 10 years, “the extra we speak, the extra we’re reminded that we’re two fight veterans and we’re devoted to protection.” pic.twitter.com/xkEoKdoiCH
— Samantha-Jo Roth (@SamanthaJoRoth) December 9, 2024
Ernst confronted rising strain from voters for her unwillingness to pledge help for Hegseth, who has the total power of MAGA behind him. It seems that the general public strain she was dealing with moved the needle, and Ernst introduced her intention to help Hegseth.
VICTORY – Joni Ernst confirms she now helps Pete Hegseth for SecDef
Make no mistake, YOU are the explanation she did this
She desires extra wars & hates the MAGA motion, however we raised our voices & compelled her to get in line or get the hell out of the Senate
Maintain going!! pic.twitter.com/44mzV6L0Ja
— DC_Draino (@DC_Draino) December 9, 2024
Following their assembly, Ernst issued a press release in help of Hegseth’s nomination.
“I admire Pete Hegseth’s responsiveness and respect for the method. Following our encouraging conversations, Pete dedicated to finishing a full audit of the Pentagon and deciding on a senior official who will uphold the foundations and values of our service women and men primarily based on high quality and requirements not quotas- and he’ll prioritize and strengthen my work to stop sexual assault inside the ranks.”
“As I help Pete by way of this course of, I look ahead to a good listening to primarily based on reality, not nameless sources.’
Joni Ernst now says in a press release that she helps Hegseth’s nomination for Protection secretary. pic.twitter.com/sHE3dHRHxI
— Sean Davis (@seanmdav) December 9, 2024
Final week, as The Gateway Pundit reported, Ernst stated she will not be but a “sure” vote on Hegseth after assembly with him privately.
Her trepidation is in sharp distinction to her favorably vote for Joe Biden’s incompetent DEI Protection Secretary, Lloyd Austin.
The truth is, Ernst voted to substantiate 9 of Biden’s 21 Cupboard Nominees who helped him destroy the nation.
Ernst has additionally been accused of waging an aggressive campaign to derail Hegseth’s nomination, in accordance with sources near Trump.
Final week, it was revealed that Ernst had been making direct appeals to former President Donald Trump, urging him to withdraw Hegseth’s nomination and positioning herself as a possible substitute.
The Federalist additionally reported that Ernst has not solely referred to as Trump a number of occasions but in addition hinted at rallying feminine senators towards Hegseth if Trump doesn’t rethink the nomination.
The MAGA motion made it very clear that Ernst might effectively face a challenger in her subsequent Senate major, with Trump-endorsed Arizona Senate candidate and Iowa native Kari Lake rising as a prime contender for the seat.
