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Senator Joni Ernst, an Iowa Republican who is facing re-election in 2026, appeared less skeptical after President-elect Donald Trump’s supporters threatened her with political retribution.
- Dec. 9, 2024Updated 8:30 p.m. ET
Senator Joni Ernst, Republican of Iowa, signaled on Monday that she would not oppose Pete Hegseth’s bid for defense secretary, hinting at a turnabout after days of hectoring and threats by President-elect Donald J. Trump’s hard-right supporters who threatened political retribution if she failed to fall into line.
Only days after emerging from a private meeting with Mr. Hegseth sounding unconvinced about his fitness to lead the Pentagon, Ms. Ernst, the first female combat veteran to serve in the Senate and a survivor of sexual assault, indicated that a second sit-down had allayed her concerns.
And she suggested that a torrent of allegations against Mr. Hegseth that had put his candidacy in jeopardy — including sexual assault, sexual impropriety in the workplace, public drunkenness and fiscal mismanagement — might not be disqualifying unless his accusers came forward publicly.
“I appreciate Pete Hegseth’s responsiveness and respect for the process,” Ms. Ernst said in a statement after their meeting, adding that she had had “encouraging conversations” with Mr. Trump’s pick.
“As I support Pete through this process, I look forward to a fair hearing based on truth, not anonymous sources,” she added.
Ms. Ernst stopped short of promising to support Mr. Hegseth, but in sending a strong signal that she was favorably inclined, she appeared to clear away a major potential hurdle to his confirmation. At the same time, her shift suggested that Mr. Trump’s MAGA base was ready, willing and able to bully Republicans into submitting to his desires.
