Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) on Thursday launched a campaign on Capitol Hill to block Defense Secretary candidate Pete Hegseth's nomination and win the job herself after a surge in support for him. She denied any involvement.
“I'm not campaigning against Pete,” she said said real clear politics White House correspondent Philip Wegman added that it makes sense that there would be a Senate confirmation hearing.
“I just want to make sure that the process is followed and that we vet him thoroughly. I believe Pete deserves a hearing. All rumors out there are completely false, and my role as a senator is to ensure that any rumors, even anonymous ones, are put to rest,” she claimed.
she insisted If there had been any allegations against current Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, he said, “we would have gone through that process.”
Ms. Ernst's denial comes as her close ally Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) has expressed doubts about Mr. Hegseth and speculation grows that he may have to withdraw. It was done. Ernst and Graham were previously promoted to general by Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) because of the Biden Pentagon's abortion policy, which pays for military travel for abortions. He also cooperated in pressuring the government to lift its suspension.
However, she denied any campaign against Hegseth, while the Federalists reported She has repeatedly called Trump and asked him to replace Hegseth.
And Democrats close to her have publicly recommended her as his successor.
Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), who serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee with Mr. Ernst, echoed her affirmation, telling reporters, “I want to start with a very, very positive trend.” . According to to washington examiner Senate reporter Ramsey Touchberry.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut), who is also a member of the committee along with Ernst, described Ernst as “a person with independent judgment, integrity, and a high degree of insight regarding military and foreign affairs.'' ” he called. “I think she'll have great bipartisan support,” he added.
Even some Republican senators, such as Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), the other member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, floated Ernst as a possible replacement for Hegseth, but then turned to Ernst. It was withdrawn as support for it began to grow.
Sen. Mike Rounds (R-South Dakota), a fellow Republican on the committee, was initially negative about Mr. Hegseth, but has recently become more positive.
Since Hegseth has a slim majority of 53-47 in the next Congress, all Democratic members will vote against him, and the next vice presidential candidate, J.D. Vance, a military veteran who strongly supports Hegseth, will vote against him. (R-Ohio), only three Republican senators are at risk of losing office in the next Congress. Decisive vote.
Ernst offered only a lukewarm rebuttal to rumors that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis could be a potential candidate to replace Hegseth, saying, “I think he's the right candidate for the job.” said. But as I told reporters, as reporters asked me in the hallway, Hegseth is the candidate and the president will decide who that candidate is. ”
She echoed Graham's tepid defense, saying all allegations against Hegseth were anonymous.
“That means anyone with information needs to seriously come forward,” she said. post. “They have to be willing to put their names out there.”
On Friday, Breitbart News exclusively reported that Iowa Attorney General Brenna Byrd, a leading candidate for Mr. Ernst, had sought approval for all of Mr. Trump's nominees.
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