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One Republican senator who first appeared to be on the fence about Trump’s Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth has now confirmed she will vote to confirm him, after a lively confirmation hearing Tuesday morning.
From Fox News: Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, officially endorsed Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense on Tuesday night, despite expressing some initial uncertainty following their first meeting.
“After four years of weakness in the White House, Americans deserve a strong Secretary of Defense,” Ernst told Fox News Digital in an exclusive 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. As I serve on the Armed Services Committee, I will work with Pete to create the most lethal fighting force and hold him to his commitments of auditing the Pentagon, ensuring opportunity for women in combat while maintaining high standards, and selecting a senior official to address and prevent sexual assault in the ranks.”
Ernst is a former military officer herself, having served in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1992-1993, and then with the Iowa Army National Guard from 1993-2015. She retired as a Lieutenant Colonel.
With Ernst firmly on board, this now increases the likelihood that Hegseth will have the votes to be confirmed as the next Secretary of Defense.
Ernst also confirmed her support for Hegseth in a radio interview Tuesday. Listen below:
🚨 Senator Joni Ernst announces she will vote YES on @PeteHegseth‘s confirmation: “Yes, I will be supporting President Trump’s pick for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth.” pic.twitter.com/2BbRNOFpVQ
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) January 14, 2025
GOP Sen. Joni Ernst officially backs Pete Hegseth for DOD after initial uncertainty https://t.co/JN7muVtXCU
— Fox News Politics (@foxnewspolitics) January 14, 2025
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