President-elect Donald Trump’s allies are ramping up pressure [1] on Republican Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa for stalling support of Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth.
The move comes as Hegseth works to rally support amid allegations of misconduct and as critics within the GOP signal potential opposition.
“It’s really this simple: If you oppose President Trump’s nominees, you oppose the Trump agenda, and there will be a political price to pay for that,” a senior Trump ally told Fox News Digital. “We are well aware that there are certain establishment Senators trying to tank the President’s nominees to make him look weak and damage him politically, and we’re just not going to allow that to happen.”
Hegseth, a former National Guard officer and host of Fox & Friends Weekend, was nominated by Trump last month.
The president-elect described Hegseth as a leader who would ensure America’s enemies were “on notice.”
Hegseth has since been meeting with Republican senators to build support for his confirmation.
Senator Ernst, who sits on the Senate Armed Services Committee, met with Hegseth last week but has withheld committing to a vote in his favor.
“Pete Hegseth and I will continue our constructive conversations as we move forward together in this process. We plan to meet again next week. At a minimum, we agree that he deserves the opportunity to lay out his vision for our warfighters at a fair hearing,” Ernst said in a statement following the meeting.
Pete Hegseth and I will continue our constructive conversations as we move forward together in this process. We plan to meet again next week.
At a minimum, we agree that he deserves the opportunity to lay out his vision for our warfighters at a fair hearing.
— Joni Ernst (@SenJoniErnst) December 6, 2024 [3]
Warning to Joni Ernst – Pete Hegseth will be just fine if you sabotage his deserved spot as SecDef.
I’ll hire him tomorrow without a second thought on one the largest digital content platforms in the world. And his voice will be even more powerful.
You, however, will not be… https://t.co/IZMcvLUBge [4]— Dan Bongino (@dbongino) December 7, 2024 [5]
Hegseth expressed optimism, stating, “I appreciate her sincere commitment to defense policy, and I look forward to meeting with her again next week.”
I just had another substantive conversation with Senator Ernst, I appreciate her sincere commitment to defense policy, and I look forward to meeting with her again next week. https://t.co/v03afazUt4 [6]
— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) December 6, 2024 [7]
Amid media reports suggesting Trump’s faith in Hegseth was waning, the president-elect took to Truth Social to reaffirm his support. “Pete Hegseth is doing very well. His support is strong and deep,” Trump wrote. “He will be a fantastic, high-energy Secretary of Defense, one who leads with charisma and skill. Pete is a WINNER, and there is nothing that can be done to change that!!!”
Pete Hegseth is doing very well. His support is strong and deep, much more so than the Fake News would have you believe. He was a great student – Princeton/Harvard educated – with a Military state of mind. He will be a fantastic, high energy, Secretary of Defense Defense, one who…
— Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) December 6, 2024 [8]
Vice President-elect JD Vance echoed Trump’s sentiment, stating that the Trump team is “not abandoning this nomination.”
JD Vance: we do not determine important government officials based on anonymous sources leaked to the media.
Sounds like team Trump is all in on this nomination. pic.twitter.com/L6rGEubs0o [9]
— Insurrection Barbie (@DefiyantlyFree) December 6, 2024 [10]
Ernst, a retired lieutenant colonel in the Iowa National Guard, spoke at the Reagan National Defense Forum over the weekend.
During her remarks, she emphasized her commitment to addressing military sexual assault and the role of women in the armed forces.
“I am a survivor of sexual assault, so I have worked very heavily on sexual assault measures within the military,” Ernst said, adding, “I’d like to hear a little more about that, and I’d like to hear about the role of women in our great United States military.”
While expressing interest in further conversations with Hegseth, Ernst made it clear that the nomination process would involve thorough vetting.
Conservative figures, however, have criticized Ernst’s perceived hesitation. Donald Trump Jr. took to X, formerly Twitter, stating, “If you’re a GOP Senator who voted for Lloyd Austin, but criticize @PeteHegseth, then maybe you’re in the wrong political party!”
What a disgrace. If you’re a GOP Senator who voted for Lloyd Austin, but criticize @PeteHegseth [11], then maybe you’re in the wrong political party! https://t.co/RVZ2ZWNpVo [12]
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) December 5, 2024 [13]
Talk show host Steve Deace added his voice to the criticism, suggesting he might challenge Ernst in a primary or support another candidate with Trump’s backing.
Joni Ernst sucked as a Senator long before this. The rest of the country is just now finding that out. However, defeating an incumbent US Senator takes high name ID, connections, and funding potential. I’m one of the few people in Iowa with all three. I don’t want to be a… pic.twitter.com/DjcQnIMeEr [14]
— Steve Deace (@SteveDeaceShow) December 6, 2024 [15]
Building America’s Future, a conservative nonprofit, announced a $500,000 ad campaign supporting Hegseth’s nomination.
The ad highlights Hegseth’s service and calls on voters to urge their senators to support him.
“America needs a Defense Secretary who knows what it means to fight and understands the price of freedom. Pete Hegseth is a patriot, a decorated combat veteran, and a warrior who will stop at nothing to keep America safe,” the ad declares.
The ad also warns against opposition from “The Deep State,” urging Americans to act swiftly.
This isn’t the first time Ernst has been at odds with Trump or the Republican Party.
She previously made statements in support of transgender individuals serving in the military, a position contrary to Trump’s 2018 policy banning transgender individuals from joining the armed forces.
As Hegseth prepares for another round of Capitol Hill meetings, Trump allies are poised to continue their push against GOP members who have yet to fully back his nominee.
The coming weeks will reveal whether Ernst’s hesitation will cost her politically or if Hegseth’s nomination will gain the traction needed for confirmation.