Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, has met with several of President-elect Donald Trump's nominees in recent weeks, some of whom have received more favorable responses than others.
On Monday, Ernst met with: Tulsi GabbardNamed Director of National Intelligence Kash Patelappointed FBI Director. Ernst spoke positively about both candidates, calling Gabbard a “strong, proven leader” and praising Patel's experience, saying he will “create much-needed transparency.” He said he shares her “passion for shaking up federal agencies.”
While Ernst had kind words for some candidates, he declined to make similar comments last week about Pete Hegseth, President Trump's nominee to lead the Pentagon.
A person familiar with the matter told Blaze News that Ernst is serving as a “useful surrogate” for former leader Mitch McConnell and other senior Senate Republicans, effectively guiding the incoming administration's policies. It is said that it is contrary to
After the first meeting between Ernst and Hegseth, the senator refrained from endorsing the candidate, but rather repeated He said they had a “frank and thorough conversation.”
President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for secretary of defense, Pete Hegseth, leaves a meeting with Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, on December 4, 2024. Kevin Dietch/Getty Images
Speculation swirled that Ernst disapproved of Hegseth. The surface-level assumption was that Ernst, who has spent his career fighting sexual assault in the military, would be unable to reconcile the allegations surrounding Hegseth with her defense.
But sources close to the Senate have revealed to Blaze News that there may be a deeper underlying motive. Sources close to the Senate confirmed to Blaze News that Mr. Ernst was actively lobbying against Mr. Hegseth's nomination. A source told Blaze News that Ernst is serving as a “useful surrogate” for former leader Mitch McConnell and other senior Senate Republicans, effectively guiding the incoming administration's policies. It is said that it is contrary to
Her reluctance to support Mr. Hegseth sparked a huge pressure campaign from Mr. Trump's allies. As a result, Ernst finally committed He agreed to reunite with Hegseth, insisting that he “deserves the opportunity to explain his vision for our nation's warfighters in a fair hearing.”
Mr. Ernst is scheduled to meet with Mr. Hegseth again on Monday.
Do you like Blaze News? Avoid censorship and sign up for our newsletter to get articles like this delivered straight to your inbox. Please register here!
