{"id":2378200,"date":"2024-12-09T18:57:00","date_gmt":"2024-12-09T23:57:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/joni-ernst-opens-the-door-to-supporting-hegseth-nomination-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2024-12-09T18:58:01","modified_gmt":"2024-12-09T23:58:01","slug":"joni-ernst-opens-the-door-to-supporting-hegseth-nomination-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/joni-ernst-opens-the-door-to-supporting-hegseth-nomination-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Joni Ernst opens the door to supporting Hegseth nomination &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fjoni-ernst-opens-the-door-to-supporting-hegseth-nomination-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2378200&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) \u2064appears to be more open to supporting Pete hegseth&#8217;s nomination \u2062for Secretary \u2062of Defense after their second meeting, during \u200dwhich Hegseth committed to conducting a full audit of the Pentagon and ensuring that\u200c leadership prioritizes\u2063 quality and standards over quotas. Ernst\u2063 emphasized \u200bher concerns about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/she-accused-him-of-sexual-assault-lawsuit-shows-her-allegations-were-false-yet-she-continues-to-defame-him-on-campus\/\" title=\"She Accused Him Of Sexual Assault. Lawsuit Shows Her Allegations Were False, Yet She Continues To Defame Him On Campus\">preventing sexual assault<\/a> within the military during her \u2062discussions \u2062wiht Hegseth. She expressed \u200da \u200ddesire for a \u2064fair hearing in \u2062the nomination process, although her office\u200c did not \u2064confirm if she would vote in favor of Hegseth.Hegseth,\u2064 a former Fox News \u2063host and Army National Guard veteran, is\u2062 facing scrutiny due \u200bto allegations of excessive\u200b drinking and past\u2063 accusations of sexual\u200c assault, which he denies. Ernst is under pressure from factions within the\u2063 Republican party who \u200bmay challenge\u200b her if she opposes Hegseth&#8217;s nomination.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Joni Ernst opens the door to supporting Hegseth nomination<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1908038\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Sen. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/joni-ernst\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Joni Ernst<\/a> (R-IA) signaled she is more open to backing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/pete-hegseth\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Pete Hegseth\">Pete Hegseth<\/a>&rsquo;s nomination to become <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/secretary-of-defense\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Secretary of Defense\">secretary of defense<\/a> following a second meeting with him on Monday.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;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 &mdash; based on quality and standards, not quotas &mdash; and who will prioritize and strengthen my work to prevent sexual assault within the ranks,&rdquo; Ernst <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/SamanthaJoRoth\/status\/1866221497364152325\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"wrote in a statement\">wrote in a statement<\/a>, released shortly after her 30-minute talk with Hegseth.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;As I support Pete through this process, I look forward to a fair hearing based on truth, not anonymous sources,&rdquo; she added, leaving her decision open-ended.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Asked for clarity on whether Ernst will be voting for Hegseth, her office declined to elaborate further on&nbsp;her statement.<\/p>\n<p>Hegseth, a former Fox News host and Army National Guard veteran, has been in <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">political survival mode amid allegations<\/a> of excessive drinking and the revelation that he made a settlement payment after being <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3237208\/police-report-reveals-details-pete-hegseth-assault-claim\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">accused of sexual assault<\/a>. Hegseth denies the allegations.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;It was a very productive meeting, and I think we are moving through the process &mdash; but he does respect that I am taking the time to spend with him,&rdquo; Ernst said, getting into an elevator.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The Iowa senator, a combat veteran who has been vocal about being sexually assaulted,&nbsp;has been<a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3251955\/trump-allies-threaten-senate-gop-fail-back-nominees\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\" under pressure\"> under pressure<\/a> from some of President-elect&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\" under pressure\">Donald Trump<\/a>&rsquo;s MAGA loyalists who have threatened to mount a primary challenge against her if she tanks Hegseth&rsquo;s nomination.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">.<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hegseth?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@hegseth<\/a> emerges from a second meeting with Sen. Ernst calling it a &ldquo;very good meeting.&rdquo; He said he&rsquo;s known her for 10 years, &ldquo;the more we talk, the more we are reminded that we are two combat veterans and we are dedicated to defense.&rdquo; <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/xkEoKdoiCH\">pic.twitter.com\/xkEoKdoiCH<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Samantha-Jo Roth (@SamanthaJoRoth) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SamanthaJoRoth\/status\/1866204603651338636?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 9, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>    <\/p>\n<p>Hegseth emerged from Ernst&rsquo;s Senate office on Monday, calling it &ldquo;a very good meeting with the senator&rdquo; and emphasizing he has known her for 10 years.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The more we talk, the more we are reminded that we are two combat veterans who are dedicated to defense,&rdquo; Hegseth said.<\/p>\n<p>Last week, the Trump transition team was reportedly <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3250452\/ernst-hegseth-backup-defense-nomination-limbo\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">weighing possible replacements<\/a> for Hegseth, which included Ernst and Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL). However, Hegseth&rsquo;s pursuit to lead the Department of Defense <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3250504\/hegseth-nomination-shaky-ground\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">continued<\/a> despite a rough few days of interviews with senators on Capitol Hill last week.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Over the weekend, Ernst commented on Hegseth&rsquo;s nomination at a security conference in California.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&rdquo;I am a survivor of sexual assault,&rdquo; Ernst, who has been an outspoken advocate of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trumps-pentagon-pick-pete-hegseth-will-get-confirmed-despite-allegations-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"Trump\u2019s Pentagon pick Pete Hegseth &#039;will get confirmed&#039; despite allegations - Washington Examiner\">preventing military sexual assault<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ernst.senate.gov\/news\/press-releases\/ernst-helps-lead-new-bipartisan-effort-to-prevent-military-sexual-assault-hold-perpetrators-accountable\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">has sponsored bipartisan legislation<\/a> to hold perpetrators accountable, told the audience.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve worked very heavily on sexual assault measures within the military. So I&rsquo;d like to hear a lot more about that,&rdquo; she <a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/ernst-hegseth-nominee-trump-vetting-assault-pentagon-138c79c9199c8525d43b77417674d81e\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">said in comments<\/a> reported by the <em>Associated Press.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Trump can only afford three defections within the Senate Republican Conference to get his picks confirmed, as the GOP will hold a 53-seat majority come January. Other possible defections include Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Susan Collins (R-ME), who are set to meet with Hegseth this week.<\/p>\n<p>Both senators <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3250504\/hegseth-nomination-shaky-ground\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"suggested\">suggested<\/a> they have many questions and concerns about the nominee and the allegations against him.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1908038\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1908038\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Joni Ernst shows increased support for Hegseth&#8217;s nomination<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2657,"featured_media":2378201,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Joni-Ernst-December-2024-scaled-1024x683.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[46455,33027,36667,32076],"class_list":["post-2378200","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-hegseth-nomination","tag-joni-ernst","tag-political-support","tag-washington-examiner"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Joni-Ernst-December-2024-scaled-1024x683.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2378200","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2657"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2378200"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2378200\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2378204,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2378200\/revisions\/2378204"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2378201"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2378200"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2378200"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2378200"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}