Joni Ernst says she’ll meet with Pete Hegseth next week

Sen. Joni Ernst said Friday she’s planning to meet next week with Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Pentagon.

The meeting comes after Ernst expressed doubts about confirming Hegseth to be secretary of defense. He has come under scrutiny following allegations of misconduct, including sexual assault, excessive drinking and financial mismanagement of two nonprofit veterans groups.

Hegseth has denied the allegations.

“At a minimum, we agree that he deserves the opportunity to lay out his vision for our warfighters at a fair hearing,” Ernst said in a social media post.

Ernst met with Hegseth this week in her Senate office but later expressed reservations about his running the Pentagon. She said “I think you are right,” when a Fox News reporter said she did not appear to be fully in support of his nomination.

Ernst, a retired Iowa National Guard lieutenant colonel and sexual assault survivor, serves on the Armed Services Committee.

Hegseth got a boost Friday when Trump posted supportive words on social media, saying “Pete Hegseth is doing very well. His support is strong and deep.”