WASHINGTON (AP) — A combat veteran of the Iraq War and a survivor of sexual assault, she has long been an advocate for improving how the military handles claims of sexual misconduct. However, when Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, initially expressed reservations about President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, who has made controversial remarks about women in combat and faced accusations of sexual assault, she faced criticism from within her own party, including threats of a potential primary challenge in 2026.
Bob Vander Plaats, president and CEO of the Family Leader and a conservative activist in Ernst’s home state, stated, “The American people have spoken. When you take on this role, you have to be prepared for criticism, and she is feeling the pressure from people expressing their disappointment and concerns about her handling of this situation.”
The pressure campaign against Ernst, a once-prominent member of the GOP leadership, highlights the lack of tolerance within Trump’s party for those who do not support his nominees. This underscores Trump’s anticipated influence on Capitol Hill in a potential second term and serves as a warning to other lawmakers who may have reservations about other Trump picks, such as Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for health secretary and Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence.
“If the president desires a different senator from Iowa, there will be one. If not, there won’t be,” said Iowa talk show host Steve Deace, suggesting he would be open to challenging Ernst if Trump supported a challenger. “I believe someone needs to be held accountable, whether it’s Joni or another individual.”
Ernst’s supporters affirm her ability to handle criticism. They emphasize that her decision regarding Hegseth, a former “Fox & Friends Weekend” host and military veteran, will be based solely on her assessment of his qualifications.
“While there has been pressure on social media, Joni, being a combat veteran, is not easily swayed,” said David Kochel, an Iowa Republican strategist and longtime friend and adviser to Ernst.
Ernst has worked to strengthen her relationship with Trump after initially withholding her endorsement during the Iowa caucuses. During a recent visit to Mar-a-Lago, she discussed budget-cutting initiatives with Trump and Elon Musk and leads the newly established DOGE caucus in the Senate.
Despite concerns from Trump allies, the President has not personally pressured Ernst to support Hegseth. However, the response to her initial reservations quickly escalated, with prominent figures in the “Make America Great Again” movement voicing their disapproval of Ernst’s stance.
Recent polling from the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs indicates that only about 2 in 10 Americans approve of Hegseth’s nomination. Among Republicans, approximately one-third approve, 16% disapprove, and the remaining respondents are neutral on the matter.
Trump’s allies have expressed unease about a potential successful effort to…
In a high-stakes political drama playing out within the Republican Party, the fate of Pete Hegseth’s candidacy hangs in the balance, with significant implications for the party’s future trajectory. The potential derailment of Hegseth’s bid for a key nomination threatens to embolden opposition forces within the GOP, challenging the narrative of a unified and dominant party under President Trump’s influence.
As the new year approaches, the GOP holds a slim 53-47 majority in the Senate, setting the stage for a crucial confirmation battle. With the margin for error razor-thin, any dissent within Republican ranks could imperil the success of Trump’s nominees, with all eyes on Hegseth’s candidacy as a litmus test for internal party dynamics.
Amid mounting pressure, vocal critics including Donald Trump Jr. and conservative figure Charlie Kirk have raised concerns about the potential repercussions for Sen. Joni Ernst, casting a shadow over her political future. The specter of primary challenges looms large, with some drawing parallels between Ernst and the embattled former Rep. Liz Cheney, a comparison that underscores the deep divisions within the party.
The battle for Hegseth’s nomination has also spilled over into the realm of advocacy groups, with organizations like Building America’s Future pledging significant financial resources to support Trump’s favored candidate. A flurry of advertisements and outreach efforts underscore the stakes at play, as the conservative ecosystem mobilizes in defense of Hegseth’s bid.
On the home front, dissent has not been confined to Washington, with Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird sounding a clarion call against perceived attempts to undermine the popular will. Her op-ed in Breitbart signals growing unease within conservative circles, as local Republican groups rally behind Trump’s nominees, amplifying the pressure on Ernst to fall in line.
The Trump factor looms large in the decision-making calculus for Republican lawmakers, as the former president’s grip on the party remains a potent force. Jason Miller, a senior campaign adviser, made it clear that Trump’s influence is paramount, framing the nomination battle as a test of loyalty and alignment with the party’s core values.
As the clock ticks down to a pivotal decision, Ernst’s evolving stance on Hegseth reflects the delicate tightrope many lawmakers must walk in the face of internal party strife. While assurances of cooperation and dialogue have been extended, the underlying tensions and power dynamics at play are impossible to ignore.
For senators like Lisa Murkowski, who have navigated their own share of challenges within the party, the campaign against Ernst serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of crossing the Trump orbit. As the Alaska Republican weighs her own path forward, the specter of intense backlash and primary challenges looms large, underscoring the high-stakes nature of internal party politics.
In the crucible of Washington politics, where allegiances are tested and alliances forged and broken in the blink of an eye, the Hegseth nomination saga stands as a microcosm of the broader power
