JUST IN: Pete Hegseth Secures Support From Key GOP Senator

After a second meeting in less than a week, Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) voiced her support for President-elect Donald Trump’s Defense secretary nominee, Pete Hegseth. Ernst, a combat veteran and influential member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, praised Hegseth’s commitment to reforming the Pentagon and tackling critical military issues.

Ernst issued a statement Monday highlighting Hegseth’s dedication to a full audit of the Pentagon and his pledge to prioritize quality and standards in military leadership. “I appreciate Pete Hegseth’s responsiveness and respect for the process,” Ernst said.

“Following our encouraging conversations, Pete committed to completing a full audit of the Pentagon and selecting a senior official who will uphold the roles and value of our servicemen and women – based on quality and standards, not quotas — and who will prioritize and strengthen my work to prevent sexual assault within the ranks. As I support Pete through this process, I look forward to a fair hearing based on truth, not anonymous sources,” she finished.

BREAKING — JONI ERNST ISSUES STATEMENT ON PETE HEGSETH. pic.twitter.com/1aeCXb4QTJ

— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) December 9, 2024

Hegseth emerged from a second meeting with Sen. Ernst, calling it a “very good meeting.” He said, “I’ve known her for 10 years. The more we talk, the more we are reminded that we are two combat veterans dedicated to defense.”

WATCH:

.@hegseth emerges from a second meeting with Sen. Ernst calling it a “very good meeting.” He said he’s known her for 10 years, “the more we talk, the more we are reminded that we are two combat veterans and we are dedicated to defense.” pic.twitter.com/xkEoKdoiCH

— Samantha-Jo Roth (@SamanthaJoRoth) December 9, 2024

When a reporter asked whether he believed she was supporting him yet, Hegseth responded, “I would never speak for her.”

The campaign to pressure Sen. Ernst has been intensifying, including efforts from Iowa Republicans, as she continues to withhold her support for Hegseth. Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird wrote a column last week for Breitbart, calling on the Senate to confirm Trump’s Cabinet nominees.

“Iowans have made their voice clear,” Bird wrote Friday, referencing Trump’s commanding electoral victory in the state as well as Ernst’s comments the day before. “In recent days, it’s become clear that D.C. politicians think they can ignore the voices of their constituents and entertain smears from the same outlets that have pushed out lies for years.”

“When voters select a president, they are selecting that president’s vision for a cabinet that will enact his agenda. On November 5, America voted for change, and for Washington to work for America – not the other way around,” she continued. “Trump has been building a qualified, talented, and powerful team to lead his America First agenda.”

Ernst, whose vote is pivotal in the preliminary stages of Hegseth’s confirmation, revealed her reservations last Thursday to Fox News.

WATCH:

When asked if she supports Hegseth’s confirmation, Ernst said, “Well, I did have a very long, lengthy discussion with Pete yesterday, and I do appreciate his service to the nation. I also am a combat veteran, so we talked about a number of those issues, and we will continue with the vetting process. I think that that is incredibly important. So again, all I’m saying is we had a very frank and productive discussion and I know that we will continue to have conversation in the upcoming months.”

After remaining mum on giving a clear answer on his confirmation, Ernst elaborated, “I think for a number of our senators, they want to make sure that any allegations have been cleared, and that’s why we have to have a very thorough vetting process.”

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