{"id":2390369,"date":"2025-01-14T20:14:02","date_gmt":"2025-01-15T01:14:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/i-will-be-supporting-pete-joni-ernst-backs-hegseth-confirmation\/"},"modified":"2025-01-14T20:15:26","modified_gmt":"2025-01-15T01:15:26","slug":"i-will-be-supporting-pete-joni-ernst-backs-hegseth-confirmation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/i-will-be-supporting-pete-joni-ernst-backs-hegseth-confirmation\/","title":{"rendered":"&#8216;I Will Be Supporting Pete&#8217;: Joni Ernst Backs Hegseth Confirmation"},"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\">20<\/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%2Fi-will-be-supporting-pete-joni-ernst-backs-hegseth-confirmation%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=2390369&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 of Iowa announced her support for Pete Hegseth\u2064 as President-elect Donald Trump&#8217;s choice for Secretary of Defence. This decision came after mounting \u200cpressure \u2064from conservatives who had rallied\u200c to support Hegseth during his confirmation hearing, which was\u2062 marked by aggressive questioning from Democratic senators. Ernst confirmed her\u200b vote during an appearance on Simon\u200d Conway&#8217;s radio show, stating her commitment to backing \u2062Hegseth following \u200dhis\u2064 intense hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee.<\/p>\n<p>This announcement marks a significant\u200c shift, as ernst had \u200bpreviously been perceived as opposing Hegseth&#8217;s nomination. Reports indicated that she had actively worked against him, pressing \u200dTrump to reconsider his decision. However, after \u2062substantial backlash from conservative groups and following her reassessment \u2062of the situation, both Ernst and Senator Lindsey Graham expressed their\u2063 alignment \u200dwith Hegseth.<\/p>\n<p>During his Senate testimony, Hegseth emphasized his \u2064military experience and outlined his vision for reinvigorating the Department\u2063 of Defense, focusing \u200don a\u2063 warrior culture geared toward enhancing military readiness. The\u200c support from Ernst\u200d is viewed as a win for Hegseth and\u2062 the conservative base, \u200das it \u2062solidifies his path to confirmation.  <\/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<div class=\"article-body body-md bdr-top-black pt-30\">\n<div class=\"row justify-content-center\">\n<div class=\"col-12\">\n<figure class=\"article-thumbnail mb-30 mb-sm-60\">\n<div class=\"article-thumbnail-caption d-flex align-items-center justify-content-md-end label-xs mt-15\">         <i class=\"mdi mdi-camera me-10\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>         <span class=\"visually-hidden\">Image Credit<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Joni_Ernst_(53130550051).jpg\">Gage Skidmore\/Wikimedia Commons\/<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/2.0\/deed.en\">CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a>       <\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"article-share text-center article-share-simple\">\n<h5 class=\"label-sm mb-10\">Share<\/h5>\n<ul class=\"article-share-list list-unstyled m-0 p-0\">\n<li class=\"article-share-facebook m-0\">       <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2025\/01\/14\/i-will-be-supporting-pete-sen-joni-ernst-backs-hegseth-following-conservative-pressure-campaign\/\" target=\"_blank\">         <i class=\"mdi mdi-facebook\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>         <span class=\"visually-hidden\">Share Article on Facebook<\/span>       <\/a>     <\/li>\n<li class=\"article-share-twitter m-0\">       <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=%E2%80%98I%20Will%20Be%20Supporting%20Pete%E2%80%99:%20Sen.%20Joni%20Ernst%20Backs%20Hegseth%20Following%20Conservative%20Pressure%20Campaign&amp;url=https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2025\/01\/14\/i-will-be-supporting-pete-sen-joni-ernst-backs-hegseth-following-conservative-pressure-campaign\/\" target=\"_blank\">         <i class=\"mdi mdi-twitter\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>         <span class=\"visually-hidden\">Share Article on Twitter<\/span>       <\/a>     <\/li>\n<li class=\"article-share-truth-social m-0\">       <a href=\"https:\/\/truthsocial.com\/share?title=%E2%80%98I%20Will%20Be%20Supporting%20Pete%E2%80%99:%20Sen.%20Joni%20Ernst%20Backs%20Hegseth%20Following%20Conservative%20Pressure%20Campaign&amp;url=https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2025\/01\/14\/i-will-be-supporting-pete-sen-joni-ernst-backs-hegseth-following-conservative-pressure-campaign\/\" target=\"_blank\">         <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"currentColor\" style=\"width:36px;height:auto;\" viewbox=\"0 0 92 93\"><path d=\"M69.444 55.716H56.772v10.37h12.672zM64.487 37.795V27.32H38.666v38.664h13.18v-28.19zM21.05 27.321h12.653v10.471H21.051z\" https:><\/path><\/svg>         <span class=\"visually-hidden\">Share Article on Truth Social<\/span>       <\/a>     <\/li>\n<li class=\"article-share-link m-0\">       <button data-clipboard-text=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2025\/01\/14\/i-will-be-supporting-pete-sen-joni-ernst-backs-hegseth-following-conservative-pressure-campaign\/\" data-tooltip-content=\"Copied!\" class=\"clip tooltip\">         <i class=\"mdi mdi-link-variant\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>         <span class=\"visually-hidden\">Copy Article Link<\/span>       <\/button>     <\/li>\n<li class=\"article-share-email m-0\">       <a href=\"mailto:?subject=%E2%80%98I%20Will%20Be%20Supporting%20Pete%E2%80%99:%20Sen.%20Joni%20Ernst%20Backs%20Hegseth%20Following%20Conservative%20Pressure%20Campaign&amp;body=%20https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2025\/01\/14\/i-will-be-supporting-pete-sen-joni-ernst-backs-hegseth-following-conservative-pressure-campaign\/\" target=\"_blank\">         <i class=\"mdi mdi-email\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>         <span class=\"visually-hidden\">Share Article via Email<\/span>       <\/a>     <\/li>\n<li class=\"article-share-email m-0\"><span class=\"printfriendly pf-button  pf-alignleft\"><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/thefederalist.com\/#\" rel=\"nofollow\" onclick=\"window.print(); return false;\" title=\"Printer Friendly, PDF &amp; Email\"><span id=\"printfriendly-text2\" class=\"pf-button-text\"><i class=\"mdi mdi-printer\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<p>Following a <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">widespread conservative pressure campaign<\/a>, Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, revealed on Tuesday evening that she will be voting to confirm Pete Hegseth as President-elect Donald Trump&rsquo;s secretary of defense.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I am breaking news. &hellip; Yes, I will be supporting President Trump&rsquo;s pick for secretary of defense, Pete Hegseth,&rdquo; Ernst said during an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iheart.com\/podcast\/92-simon-conway-20710735\/episode\/interview-with-senator-joni-ernst-257820757\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">interview<\/a> on Simon Conway&rsquo;s radio show.<\/p>\n<div class=\"fdrlst__b89e9-paragraph-2 d-flex justify-content-center\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center; \" id=\"fdrlst__b89e9-91361787\">\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-1463670073398-0\" class=\"mb-30\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The Iowa Republican&rsquo;s announcement came hours following Hegseth&rsquo;s confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee, in which he <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2025\/01\/14\/democrats-hegseth-hearing-theatrics-prove-theyre-unserious-about-u-s-national-security\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">endured<\/a> grotesque slanders and unhinged tirades from the body&rsquo;s Democrat members. The former Fox News host also fielded policy-related questions from the panel&rsquo;s GOP members, including Ernst. <\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"> <span class=\"Ruqj\"><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">&#128680; Senator Joni Ernst announces she will vote YES on <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/PeteHegseth?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@PeteHegseth<\/a>&#8216;s confirmation: &#8220;Yes, I will be supporting President Trump&#8217;s pick for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth.&#8221; <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/2BbRNOFpVQ\">pic.twitter.com\/2BbRNOFpVQ<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/TrumpWarRoom\/status\/1879312219130966448?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">January 14, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/span> <\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>Tuesday&rsquo;s announcement marks a major win for Hegseth and conservative voters, the latter of whom galvanized to pressure GOP senators to confirm Hegseth following revelations that Ernst was leading a behind-the-scenes effort to nuke his nomination. <\/p>\n<p>Trump world sources <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2024\/12\/04\/trump-world-sources-joni-ernst-is-waging-aggressive-personal-jihad-against-hegseth\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">told<\/a> The Federalist last month that Iowa&rsquo;s junior senator was spearheading an &ldquo;aggressive&rdquo; personal jihad against Hegseth. This included Ernst making calls to Trump to convince him to dump Hegseth and enlisting Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., to lobby the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/mike-kelly-same-people-criticizing-trump-peddled-russia-collusion-hoax\/\" title=\"Mike Kelly: Same People Criticizing Trump Peddled Russia Collusion Hoax\">president-elect<\/a> to replace Hegseth with Ernst. <\/p>\n<p>Both Ernst and Graham seemingly <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2024\/12\/09\/i-support-pete-ernst-changes-tune-following-second-hegseth-meeting\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">changed<\/a> their <a href=\"https:\/\/www.breitbart.com\/politics\/2024\/12\/11\/petes-hegseth-turned-confirmation-fight-around-seven-days\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">tunes<\/a> on Hegseth&rsquo;s nomination following The Federalist&rsquo;s reporting and subsequent conservative backlash. <\/p>\n<p>Graham <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/LindseyGrahamSC\/status\/1879290091438477432\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">signaled<\/a> his willingness to back Hegseth following Tuesday&rsquo;s hearing, writing on X, &ldquo;With today&rsquo;s performance, I believe Pete Hegseth&rsquo;s path to confirmation has been assured.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>During his testimony, Hegseth <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2025\/01\/14\/pete-hegseth-makes-the-definitive-case-why-hes-qualified-to-be-trumps-defense-secretary\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">detailed<\/a> his plans to &ldquo;bring the warrior culture back to the Department of Defense&rdquo; and make the Pentagon an agency &ldquo;laser focused on warfighting, lethality, meritocracy, standards, and readiness.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Like many of my generation, I&rsquo;ve been there. I&rsquo;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/hegseth-makes-the-case-why-he-should-be-defense-secretary\/\" title=\"Hegseth Makes The Case Why He Should Be Defense Secretary\">ve led troops<\/a> in combat, been on patrol for days, pulled a trigger downrange, heard bullets whiz by, flex-cuffed insurgents, called in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/stealth-fighters-performance-not-living-up-to-the-price-tag\/\" title=\"Stealth Fighter\u2019s Performance Not Living Up to the Price Tag\">close air support<\/a>, led medevacs, dodged IEDs, pulled out dead bodies, and knelt before a battlefield cross,&rdquo; Hegseth said. &ldquo;[T]his is not academic for me; this is my life. I led then, and I will lead now.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The Army veteran <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2025\/01\/14\/democrats-hegseth-hearing-theatrics-prove-theyre-unserious-about-u-s-national-security\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">discussed<\/a> major issues implicating the military, including DEI and its harmful effects on military readiness, and the Navy&rsquo;s waning fleet. He also <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/caught-on-video-georgia-hack-gabe-sterling-called-out-by-dominion-executive-eric-coomer\/\" title=\"CAUGHT ON VIDEO: Georgia Hack Gabe Sterling Called Out by Dominion Executive Eric Coomer\">fielded questions<\/a> about the Pentagon&rsquo;s budget problems and the ongoing recruiting crisis jeopardizing the military&rsquo;s efficiency and readiness.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\">\n<div class=\"article-author-description fst-italic\">      Shawn Fleetwood is a staff writer for The Federalist and a graduate of the University of Mary Washington. He previously served as a state content writer for Convention of States Action and his work has been featured in numerous outlets, including RealClearPolitics, RealClearHealth, and Conservative Review. Follow him on Twitter @ShawnFleetwood<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-author mt-30 mt-sm-60 pt-30 bdr-top-bold-black\">\n<div class=\"row g-0 align-items-center\">\n<div class=\"col-12 col-md-6\">\n<div class=\"article-author-profile d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center justify-content-md-start\">\n<div class=\"article-author-details\">\n<div class=\"label-md\">Shawn Fleetwood<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-author-twitter label-sm d-flex align-items-center mt-10\">             <i class=\"mdi mdi-twitter me-5\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>             <span class=\"visually-hidden\">Visit on Twitter<\/span>            <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ShawnFleetwood\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-decoration-none\">@ShawnFleetwood<\/a>           <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"col-12 col-md-6 d-flex justify-content-center justify-content-md-end mt-15 mt-md-0\">        <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/author\/shawnfleetwood\/\" class=\"btn btn-black btn-small\">More Articles<\/a>     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"article-tags bdr-top-black mt-30 mt-sm-60 pt-15 pt-md-45\">\n<ul class=\"list-unstyled d-flex flex-wrap align-items-center mb-0 mx-n10 p-0\">\n<li class=\"mt-10 mx-10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/confirmation-hearing\/\" class=\"btn btn-black btn-small\">confirmation hearing<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"mt-10 mx-10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/defense-secretary\/\" class=\"btn btn-black btn-small\">Defense Secretary<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"mt-10 mx-10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/department-of-defense\/\" class=\"btn btn-black btn-small\">Department of Defense<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"mt-10 mx-10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/dod\/\" class=\"btn btn-black btn-small\">DOD<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"mt-10 mx-10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" class=\"btn btn-black btn-small\">Donald Trump<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"mt-10 mx-10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/joni-ernst\/\" class=\"btn btn-black btn-small\">Joni Ernst<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"mt-10 mx-10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/lindsey-graham\/\" class=\"btn btn-black btn-small\">Lindsey Graham<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"mt-10 mx-10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/military-readiness\/\" class=\"btn btn-black btn-small\">military readiness<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"mt-10 mx-10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/pentagon\/\" class=\"btn btn-black btn-small\">Pentagon<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"mt-10 mx-10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/pete-hegseth\/\" class=\"btn btn-black btn-small\">Pete Hegseth<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"mt-10 mx-10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/senate-democrats\/\" class=\"btn btn-black btn-small\">Senate Democrats<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"mt-10 mx-10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/trump-administration\/\" class=\"btn btn-black btn-small\">Trump Administration<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, announced she will support Pete Hegseth&#8217;s confirmation as Trump&#8217;s defense secretary after conservative pressure<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":539,"featured_media":2390370,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Joni-Ernst.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[16629,33027,44930,36667,48522],"class_list":["post-2390369","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-confirmation","tag-joni-ernst","tag-pete-hegseth","tag-political-support","tag-senate-"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Joni-Ernst.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2390369","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\/539"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2390369"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2390369\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2390373,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2390369\/revisions\/2390373"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2390370"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2390369"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2390369"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2390369"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}