Sen. Joni Ernst appeared more open to supporting Pete Hegseth as Pentagon chief after the pair met Monday for a second time, although she did not explicitly say whether she’d back Trump’s embattled defense pick.
The Iowa Republican, a pivotal swing vote on the Senate Armed Services Committee, struck a positive tone in a statement issued after their meeting — and indicated Hegseth is moving toward her positions.
Ernst said she extracted commitments from Hegseth on auditing the Pentagon and naming a senior official whose purview would include tackling military sexual assault. She called their discussions “encouraging” and said several times that she is supporting Hegseth “through the process” or “supporting the process” without saying if she plans to vote to confirm him. (The Pentagon has been performing audits since Trump’s first term, though it has never passed one.)
“It was a very productive meeting,” she told reporters on Monday evening. “We’re just moving through the process, but he does respect that I’m taking the time.”
Ernst — a combat veteran who has been vocal about her experience as a survivor of sexual assault — is seen as a key vote on Hegseth, whose nomination has been plagued by allegations of alcohol abuse and sexual misconduct.
The comments came after Ernst this weekend called for a thorough vetting of Hegseth’s nomination. Her refusal to commit to Hegseth has triggered fierce backlash among Trump allies and online.
“As I support Pete through this process, I look forward to a fair hearing based on truth, not anonymous sources,” Ernst said in her statement.
Ernst was critical of Hegseth’s comments denouncing women in military combat roles. Asked if the pair discussed the issue, Ernst said they did and called Hegseth “very supportive of women in the military.”
Hegseth’s meeting with Ernst was part of a blitz of sit-downs with Republican senators. He also met with Sens. Roger Marshall, Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Mike Lee (R-Utah) on Monday and has more than 20 meetings this week. That includes Senate Appropriations Committee ranking member Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), who are also considered swing votes.
Hegseth told reporters he and Ernst had “a very good meeting.” The Pentagon pick praised Ernst’s combat experience and said the two agree on their commitment to defense issues.
“I’ve known her for 10 years, “Hegseth said. “The more we talk I’m reminded of, as two combat veterans, how dedicated we are to defense.”
He did not say whether he thought Ernst had shifted her position.