Key GOP Senator Says She’s Not Working to Derail Hegseth Nomination

Sen. Joni Ernst also says she’s not interested in becoming President-elect Donald Trump’s defense secretary.

Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) speaks during a press conference following the Senate Republican weekly policy luncheon at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 9, 2024. Samuel Corum/Getty Images

A key Republican senator says she’s not ready to commit to approving President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for defense secretary, but that she’s also not working to derail the nomination.

“I don’t have a campaign against Pete,” Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) told RealClearPolitics. “I just want to make sure the process is able to play out and that we’re thoroughly vetting him.”