SIMI VALLEY, California — Republican Senator Joni Ernst has shared significant insights regarding President-elect Donald Trump’s controversial pick for defense secretary, Pete Hegseth. While addressing a predominantly Republican audience at a security conference in California on Saturday, Ernst expressed her desire to learn more about Hegseth’s positions on pivotal issues before she considers endorsing him.
“I am a survivor of sexual assault,” noted Ernst, a military veteran from Iowa who has dedicated a considerable portion of her legislative work to improving the reporting and prosecution of sexual assault cases within the military. “Given my background, I would appreciate hearing much more about his thoughts on this topic.”
As one of the Republican senators with a significant voice in Hegseth’s potential confirmation, Ernst’s perspectives matter. Hegseth, a combat veteran and previous host on “Fox & Friends” weekends, has been actively seeking support from senators in order to secure the needed votes to lead the Defense Department.
However, Hegseth’s nomination has come under scrutiny due to allegations of heavy drinking and a past settlement payment made in response to a sexual assault accusation that he firmly denies. In recent weeks, supporters including Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance have come to Hegseth’s defense, reinforcing their belief that he will ultimately gain confirmation. Trump stated during an interview that many senators have communicated their support for Hegseth.
“Pete is doing well now,” the president-elect remarked, adding that there were initial concerns about Hegseth’s candidacy but emphasizing his impressive track record.
Ernst faces considerable pressure from Trump’s backers to support Hegseth, yet she stands out among her Republican colleagues not only as a survivor of sexual assault but also as a former Army National Guard lieutenant colonel — a distinction that Hegseth has criticized in the past. He previously stated that women “should not serve in combat roles.”
“I would like to hear discussions on the participation of women in combat within our esteemed U.S. military,” Ernst commented during her speech at the Reagan National Defense Forum. Additionally, she is keen to understand Hegseth’s approach to financial management at the Pentagon.
“Overseeing a $877 billion budget is a critical responsibility,” Ernst emphasized.
In a recent social media post, Hegseth remarked that he had a productive conversation with Ernst and values her dedication to defense policy. He looks forward to their next meeting as he aims to address her concerns.
Ernst has stated that she anticipates Hegseth’s appearance before the Senate Armed Services Committee and his performance during the confirmation process, where he will face rigorous questioning. “Thorough vetting is essential before any advancement,” she asserted, highlighting her commitment to ensuring a fair evaluation process.
In her discussions with Hegseth, it is likely that he will need to elaborate on a 2017 incident in which a woman accused him of sexual assault in a hotel room after he allegedly took her phone and blocked her exit. When asked about the allegation in a recent interview, Hegseth denied any wrongdoing, describing the situation as regrettable. He argued that the settlement payment was made under pressure from the woman’s attorneys, claiming he feared it might jeopardize his position at Fox News. The identity of the accuser has not been revealed, and Ernst expressed her confidence in the FBI’s ability to investigate the matter thoroughly and provide information to the committee.
