First on Fox: Sin. Joni Ernst, Republican from Iowa, Trump formally endorsed Pete Hegseth for Defense Secretary on Tuesday night, despite expressing some initial uncertainty after their first meeting.
“After four years of weakness in the White House, Americans deserve a strong Secretary of Defense,” Ernst told Fox News Digital in an exclusive statement.
Ernst officially announced her support for Hegseth on Tuesday. (Photo by Samuel Corum/Getty Images)
“Our next Commander-in-Chief has selected Pete Hegseth to serve in this role, and after our conversations, listening to the people of Iowa, and doing my job as a United States Senator, I will support President Trump's selection for Secretary of Defense. Since I serve in the United States Senate, I will support President Trump's selection for the position of Minister of Defense. “Armed Services Committee, I will work with Pete to create the most lethal fighting force and force him to fulfill his commitments to audit the Pentagon, ensure opportunities for women in combat while maintaining high standards, and select a senior official to address and prevent sexual assault in the ranks.”
President-elect Trump's choice to lead the Department of Defense has been presented to the Armed Services in the Senate Committee on Tuesday morningWhere he faced questions from Democratic and Republican members.
Schumer gathers key committee members to talk about Hegseth's looming confirmation hearing
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 14: US President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth testifies during his Senate Armed Services confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill on January 14, 2025, in Washington, DC. ((Photo by Andrew Harnick/Getty Images))
During the hearing, Ernst pressed Trump's pick for the Defense Department on women in combat, sexual assault in the military, and scrutiny of the department.
“One of my priorities has been to combat sexual assault in the military and make sure that all of our service members are treated with dignity and respect,” said Ernst, a sexual assault survivor. “This has been extremely important. Senator Gillibrand and I have worked on this, and we have been able to make changes.” “On the Uniform Code of Military Justice to ensure that we have improvements, it will take time on how we handle tragic, life-changing rape and sexual assault cases and the Pentagon's attention under your leadership see if you are confirmed.”
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Ernest was initially unsure about Hegseth's assertion. (Getty Images)
“So, as Secretary of Defense, will you appoint a senior official dedicated to preventing and responding to sexual assaults?” Hegseth asked.
Trump's pick for Defense Department told the senator he would agree to do so.
Ernst had previously expressed uncertainty about her support for Hegseth, agreeing with Fox News anchor Bill Hemmer when he suggested she wasn't quite ready to say yes to his confirmation. “I think you're right,” she said on “America's Newsroom.”
The senator's support is a welcome development for Hegseth, because, for his confirmation, almost all Republicans are expected to support him, with room for him to lose only two of their votes. This assumes that no Democratic senators choose to support him, in which case he would have more flexibility with Republicans.
Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth, left, and President-elect Donald Trump, right (Getty)
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Hegseth received many pointed questions from Democrats, along with several criticisms. Senators prodded him over allegations of alcohol consumption, sexual assault and financial mismanagement.
He denied all these accusations. However, Democratic senators left the session unconvinced by Hegseth.
