‘Pete or else!’: Ernst takes MAGA heat over Trump’s Hegseth nomination

The Republican base is targeting US Sen. Joni Ernst over her continued reticence to back Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s controversial nominee to run the Pentagon.

Pete Hegseth has had a rough ride ever since President-elect Donald Trump put him on the road to be his defense secretary. Since the Fox News host was chosen, several troubling details have come to light: a sexual assault investigation that culminated in a monetary settlement. A history of intoxication on the job and financial mismanagement. And an email published by The New York Times written by Hegseth’s mother accusing him of mistreating women for years. 

Despite these revelations, Trump has stood by his first pick. The rub: Hegseth must be confirmed by the Senate before ascending to the nation’s military authority second only to the president. But the road to confirmation runs in part through US Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa, who herself expressed interest in the job. 

Hegseth and Ernst have sat down Wednesday to discuss some of the issues that have come up. Ernst said in a post on X that she appreciates Hegseth’s “service to our country, something we both share.” But the morning after she was still unconvinced. 

Another Fox News host Bill Hemmer said during an interview with Ernst that it sounded like she hadn’t been satisfied by the vetting process, Ernst said “I think you are right.”

“I think for a number of our senators they want to make sure that any allegations have been cleared and that’s why we have to have a very thorough vetting,” Ernst said.

Besides the reported personal problems of Hegseth, he’s also voiced opinions on running the military that should be incompatible with Ernst’s beliefs. Just before his nomination, Hegseth said on a podcast “I’m straight up just saying we should not have women in combat roles.” Ernst is the first female combat veteran to serve in the Senate.

The response to Ernst’s skepticism on sites like Truth Social, Telegraph and X have been venomous, pressuring Ernst to confirm Hegseth or face a primary challenge—potentially from a Trump-endorsed opponent. 

Trump has made no statements about plans to primary senators that held up his nominations. But he does appear to be hedging his bet on Hegseth. The Wall Street Journal first reported that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was being considered as potential replacement should Hegseth not pass muster. However, Hegseth remains Trump’s pick despite headwinds from Ernst and the rest of the Senate. 

“I spoke to the president this morning. He supports me fully. We’re not going anywhere,” Hegseth told reporters on Capitol Hill Wednesday.