Sen. Ernst Backs Hegseth, Advocates for Strong Defense Leadership

Iowa: Senator Joni Ernst is backing Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense. This comes after he faced tough questions during his confirmation hearing.

Ernst, who has a military background, had some worries about Hegseth’s past comments on women in combat and allegations against him. But after talking with him and hearing from Iowans, she’s decided to support him.

She believes Americans deserve a strong leader in the Pentagon after years of perceived weakness. Ernst is committed to working with Hegseth to strengthen the military and ensure women have opportunities in combat roles.

With her backing, Hegseth is likely to be confirmed by the Republican-controlled Senate. He met with Ernst multiple times to gain her support before the hearing.

During the hearing, Hegseth assured Ernst that women would have access to combat roles as long as standards remain high. Other senators, like Lindsey Graham, also expressed their support after the hearing, saying Hegseth was well-prepared and handled tough questions effectively.

With Ernst and Graham on his side, Hegseth’s confirmation seems almost certain.