‘I Support Pete’: Ernst Changes Tune On Hegseth Nomination

Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, indicated she will confirm Pete Hegseth as the next secretary of defense on Monday. The announcement marks a stark pivot for Ernst, who has been leading a behind-the-scenes effort to tank Hegseth’s nomination.

“I appreciate Pete Hegseth’s responsiveness and respect for the process,” Ernst said in a press release. “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 — based on quality and standards, not quotas — and who will prioritize and strengthen my work to prevent sexual assault within the ranks. As I support Pete through this process, I look forward to a fair hearing based on truth, not anonymous sources.”

The statement was issued following Ernst’s Monday afternoon meeting with Hegseth on Capitol Hill. The Iowa senator previously met the Army veteran to discuss his nomination to lead the Pentagon last week.

When asked about his most recent talk with Ernst, Hegseth told reporters it “was a very good meeting,” and expressed appreciation for “her commitment to the process.”

“We look forward to working together,” Hegseth said.

Ernst has faced immense backlash throughout the past several days for refusing to support Hegseth’s nomination.

Multiple sources within Trump world with direct knowledge of her efforts told The Federalist last week that Ernst has been waging an “aggressive” personal jihad against the former Fox News host. Her reported actions have included making personal calls to Trump to urge him to dump Hegseth ahead of her meeting with the Army veteran last week, and enlisting Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., to lobby Trump to replace Hegseth with Ernst.

“She’s waging a campaign to replace Pete with herself,” a Trump source familiar with her phone calls with Trump said.

[READ: Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst Endorsed Transgender Military Service]

Hegseth has come under a barrage of unsubstantiated allegations of wrongdoing during his time working at Fox News and spearheading veteran-related nonprofit organizations. Numerous former colleagues and associates have come out strongly disputing the accusations from anonymous sources.

A woman also previously accused Hegseth of sexual assault following a purported 2017 sexual encounter between the two. Prosecutors declined to press charges due to a lack of “proof beyond a reasonable doubt,” according to reports.

[READ: The Police Report About Pete Hegseth’s Alleged Sexual Assault Vindicates Him Of Criminality]

Trump reaffirmed his support for Hegseth to lead the Pentagon in Truth Social post on Friday. He also stood by the Army veteran’s nomination during his recent interview with NBC News hack Kristen Welker.

“He’s a young guy with a tremendous track record. Actually went to Princeton and went to Harvard. He was a good student at both. But he loves the military, and I think people are starting to see it,” Trump told Welker. “I’ve had a lot of senators call me up saying he’s fantastic.”