Sen. Joni Ernst Voices Support for Pete Hegseth as Defense Secretary

Sen. Joni Ernst previously expressed doubts about Pete Hegseth taking on the role of defense secretary.

Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) speaks during a press conference at the U.S. Capitol, on Jan. 9, 2024. Samuel Corum/Getty Images

Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) has voiced support for President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, following his confirmation hearing on Tuesday.

“After four years of weakness in the White House, Americans deserve a strong Secretary of Defense,” Ernst said in a statement after Hegseth’s hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee. “Our next commander in chief selected Pete Hegseth to serve in this role, and after our conversations, hearing from Iowans, and doing my job as a United States Senator, I will support President Trump’s pick for Secretary of Defense.”