Sen. Joni Ernst officially backs Pete Hegseth for top Pentagon post: ‘Americans deserve a strong Secretary of Defense’ 

Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) threw her support behind Defense Secretary-designate Pete Hegseth on Tuesday hours after President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Pentagon was grilled by senators on Capitol Hill. 

Ernst, an Army veteran and rape survivor, had previously expressed concerns over Hegseth’s past comments about women in military combat roles and the allegations of sexual misconduct leveled against the former television personality.

But the Iowa Republican said she now supports Trump’s wishes to see Hegseth in the Pentagon head after his confirmation hearing.

“After four years of weakness in the White House, Americans deserve a strong Secretary of Defense,” the Iowa Republican said in a statement. “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.”

“As I serve on the Armed Services Committee, I will work with Pete to create the most lethal fighting force and hold him to his commitments of auditing the Pentagon, ensuring opportunity for women in combat while maintaining high standards, and selecting a senior official to address and prevent sexual assault in the ranks,” she added. 

Ernst’s endorsement of Hegseth means the former Fox News host is all but assured to be confirmed by the Republican-controlled Senate when his nomination comes up for a vote later this month. 

Hegseth, 44, met with Ernst on Capitol Hill on several occasions leading up to Tuesday’s confirmation hearing in an effort to gain her crucial support. 

“Women will have access to ground combat roles, given combat standards remain high,” Hegseth pledged to Ernst during the hearing. 

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), who at one point called the accusations against Hegseth “disturbing,” also announced his support for the Afghanistan and Iraq war veteran’s bid after the hearing. 

“Pete did a very good job answering difficult questions at today’s hearing while laying out a vision to reform the Pentagon and to be the warfighters’ biggest champion,” the South Carolina Republican said in a statement. 

“Democratic attacks were overly personal and fell flat,” Graham added. “It was clear Pete was more prepared for the hearing than my Democratic colleagues.”

“With today’s performance, I believe Pete Hegseth’s path to confirmation has been assured.”