Pete Hegseth appears to have won over a strong holdout in President-elect Donald Trump's bid to become Pentagon chief.
Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, announced her support for Hegseth's nomination after a meeting Monday afternoon.
“We appreciate Pete Hegseth's responsiveness and respect for the process,” Ernst said. said This was said in a statement after the meeting. “After our encouraging conversations, Pete completed a full audit of the Department of Defense, ensuring senior officials uphold, prioritize and strengthen the role and values of service members and service members based on quality and standards, not quotas.” My job is to prevent sexual assault within the ranks.” (Exclusive: New ad targeting Joni Ernst intensifies Hegseth approval battle)
“I will support Pete throughout this process and look forward to a fair hearing based on truth rather than anonymous sources,” Ernst added.
🚨BREAKING NEWS: Sen. Joni Ernst announces support for Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense.
Ernst says he believes Pete Hegseth, not 'an anonymous source'
we won: pic.twitter.com/j73zDDkdtV
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) December 9, 2024
Mr. Ernst, who serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee, is seen as a key vote Mr. Hegseth must secure in his fight for Senate confirmation. Mr. Hegseth has faced intense scrutiny from Mr. Ernst and other Republican senators over anonymous sexual assault and alcohol abuse allegations, which he and his former colleagues vehemently deny.
After the meeting, Hegseth praised Ernst, saying the Iowa Republican has a “committed” voice on defense issues.
“The more we talk, the more I am reminded, as two veterans, how dedicated we are to our defense,” Hegseth said. said reporters.
No Republican senators have said they will oppose Hegseth's nomination, but several senators, including Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine and Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, have remained steadfast.
Hegseth met with Ernst last week, but the Iowa Republican specifically withheld her support. tell Reporters will continue “constructive conversations” regarding his nomination.
Hegseth told SiriusXM's Megyn Kelly last Wednesday that he believes his nomination for defense secretary has been the subject of a “smear campaign.” (Related: Pete Hegseth tells Megyn Kelly he believes he's being 'Kavanaughed' during confirmation process)
.@Pete Hegseth She talks about her 2017 rape accusation, her reconciliation with her accuser, and how she changed her lifehttps://t.co/zha7qV7p4a
— The Megyn Kelly Show (@MegynKellyShow) December 4, 2024
“Forty-five minutes ago, I had a member look me in the eye in private and just him and I say, 'That's what they're going to do to you,'” Hegseth told Kelly. “'That's their strategy. If they're more prepared, they'll bounce back like they always have. All anonymous, all innuendo, all rumors, no sources, no verification. And they're just going to keep doing it because you're a threat to them. You're a threat to everything in Washington, D.C., the swamp, everything that people have rejected. They will come after you because you are a threat to it.”
Mr. Ernst expresses support for Mr. Hegseth after President-elect Donald Trump expresses support for the people defense Regarding the embattled candidate for Secretary of Defense.
“Pete is a winner and there is nothing he can do to change that!!!” President Trump wrote in a Dec. 6 post on Truth Social.
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