A RINO senator who received significant backlash online for her hesitance to support Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense has backed down and officially announced her support for the nomination.
After President-elect Donald Trump announced Hegseth’s nomination as Secretary of Defense, the left had a massive meltdown — attacking Hegseth as “just a Fox News host” — and many RINOs joined in the outrage, likely because they are worried about protecting the military industrial complex.
Of course, Hegseth is much more than just a “Fox News host” — he’s an Army veteran who served in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Guantanamo Bay, earning two Bronze Strs and a Combat Infantryman’s Badge. He also previously served as CEO of Concerned Veterans for America, a prominent veteran’s advocacy organization. Hegseth graduated Princeton University and Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.
None of that appeared to matter to RINO Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA), who repeatedly expressed concern about Hegseth’s nomination — prompting an outpouring of criticism on her social media pages from conservatives who called her out for opposing the will of the people. Many highlighted the fact that she voted for many of President Joe Biden’s radical left nominees, including disgraced Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.
Senator Joni Ernst (R) voted to confirm Lloyd Austin for Secretary of Defense who turned our military into a woke laughingstock but is refusing to say if she will confirm Pete Hegseth.
So she supports all this trash but doesn’t support a strong Conservative who will strengthen… pic.twitter.com/F2nKpoIQy6
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) December 5, 2024
Following the backlash, Ernst appears to finally be backing down. After a Monday meeting with Hegseth, she announced that she would be supporting his nomination.
“Following our encouraging conversations, Pete committed to completing a full audit of the Pentagon and selecting a senior official who will uphold the roles and value of our servicemen and women — based on quality and standards, not quotas — and who will prioritize and strengthen my work to prevent sexual assault within the ranks,” Ernst said after their second in-person meeting, according to reporting from Fox News’ Chad Pergram. “As I support Pete through this process, I look forward to a fair hearing based on truth, not anonymous sources.”
Ernst after mtg w/Hegseth for a 2nd time: I appreciate Pete Hegseth’s responsiveness and respect for the process. Following our encouraging conversations, Pete committed to completing a full audit of the Pentagon and selecting a senior official who will uphold the roles and value…
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) December 9, 2024
This news comes after rumors swirled that Ernst had been coordinating efforts behind the scenes to tank Hegseth’s nomination. Rumors also emerged that she was especially bitter because she wanted the position for herself.
Social media users tentatively celebrated Ernst’s decision, though many were still skeptical of her motivations and concerned that she will still be one of the RINO lawmakers hindering Trump’s plans for his second term.
🚨VICTORY – Joni Ernst confirms she now supports Pete Hegseth for SecDef
Make no mistake, YOU are the reason she did this
She wants more wars & hates the MAGA movement, but we raised our voices & forced her to get in line or get the hell out of the Senate
Keep going!! pic.twitter.com/44mzV6L0Ja
— DC_Draino (@DC_Draino) December 9, 2024
However, more good news for Trump’s nominations came from Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR), who was recently elected to the third-ranking post in Senate Republican leadership. In a Monday morning tweet, Cotton made this prediction: “I expect our Republican Senate is going to confirm all of President Trump’s nominees.”
I expect our Republican Senate is going to confirm all of President Trump's nominees.
— Tom Cotton (@TomCottonAR) December 9, 2024
