Iowa Senator Joni Ernst recently had a “very frank and productive discussion” with President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth. However, Ernst declined to commit to supporting Hegseth’s nomination during a Fox News interview. With Republicans holding a slim majority in the Senate, each vote is crucial for approving Trump’s nominations.
Hegseth, an Army National Guard veteran and former Fox News host, has faced controversy in the past for his views on women in combat roles and allegations of sexual assault. Ernst, also a military veteran and sexual assault survivor, serves on the Senate’s Armed Services Committee and has worked on addressing sexual assault in the military.
Ernst emphasized the importance of thoroughly vetting Hegseth and ensuring that any allegations against him have been cleared before his confirmation hearing. While the confirmation hearing for Hegseth has not yet been scheduled, Ernst suggested that discussions with him will continue in the coming months.
As the vetting process progresses, it remains to be seen whether Ernst and other senators will ultimately support Hegseth’s nomination. For now, Ernst is focused on thorough discussion and vetting to ensure the nominee’s qualifications and suitability for the position.
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