Donald Trump’s aides have suggested that Iowa Senator Joni Ernst may be trying to sink the nomination of Pete Hegseth as defense secretary so that she can get the job instead.
Ernst, a combat veteran and sexual assault survivor, has so far refused to publicly back Hegseth’s selection by Trump amid a string of controversies surrounding the Fox News host.
Since his nomination, reports have emerged of Hegseth being accused of sexual assault, workplace misconduct, and alleged heavy drinking during work hours and at events. Additionally, he allegedly had multiple affairs throughout his first and second marriage – one of which led to him fathering a child with a Fox News producer.
Ernst is considered a critical vote in Hegseth’s confirmation process given she is one of the nine women Republican Senators and had been rumored to be a possible replacement for the job.
But her vote is also meaningful because of her military background and advocacy for sexual assault survivors. She has a long track record of supporting legislation aimed at addressing sexual assault within the military.
While Ernst mulls over whether or not she will throw her support behind Hegseth, Trump’s aides have reportedly suggested she is holding out because she wants the role, according to The Guardian.
But the Iowa senator publicly insists her hesitancy is based on the vetting process.
“For a number of our senators, they want to make sure that any allegations are cleared, and that’s why we have to have a very thorough vetting process,” Ernst told Fox News on Thursday.
In the same interview, Ernst confirmed she had not been convinced to vote “yes” on Hegseth.
As defense secretary, Hegseth would be responsible for overseeing all U.S. military operations second to the president and providing the president with defense advice.
The moment Trump nominated Hegseth for the position questions about his qualifications arose.
Hegseth is a veteran of the Army National Guard who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. But he’s most well-known for being a Fox News host.
Those questions have turned into genuine concerns for many since media reports revealed Hegseth has a history of sexual misconduct and heavy alcohol intake. Hegseth has denied those allegations and even promised to refrain from drinking alcohol if he is confirmed.
But even with Trump, his own mother, former colleagues and Trump-aligned Senators backing him, it may not be enough for Ernst to vote for him.
Hegseth is working with a very narrow margin in his confirmation vote. Assuming all Democratic Senators vote against him, he can only lose three Republican votes.
