Some Republicans are already becoming RINOs.
Senator Joni Ernst, a staunch conservative from Iowa and a combat veteran, made it clear Thursday that she wasn’t ready to back President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth. Her cautious stance on Hegseth, who has been embroiled in a growing number of allegations involving sexual misconduct and other controversies, represents a significant hurdle for the Trump administration as it seeks to solidify support for its top picks in the new cabinet.
In an interview with Fox News, Ernst was asked by anchor Bill Hemmer if she had decided to support Hegseth following a recent meeting with the nominee. Ernst responded that she had not yet reached a firm “yes” on the nomination, acknowledging that many of her colleagues in the Senate were still concerned about the numerous allegations against Hegseth. She emphasized the importance of a thorough vetting process to ensure any accusations are fully addressed. “I believe for a certain amount of our senators, they do want to ensure that any accusations have been cleared,” Ernst stated, reinforcing her commitment to due process.
Hegseth, 44, has faced a barrage of allegations regarding his behavior, including accusations of binge drinking, financial mismanagement, and sexual misconduct during his time leading veterans’ advocacy groups. As a combat veteran herself, Ernst has personal insight into the importance of military leadership and the serious nature of these allegations. She noted that while she respected Hegseth’s service, these concerns needed to be carefully evaluated before any confirmation vote could take place.
Despite these challenges, Hegseth has worked tirelessly to bolster support among Senate Republicans. He has reached out to key figures, including Senator Jim Banks of Indiana, who praised Hegseth as a patriot and reformer dedicated to rooting out the “woke” culture in the military. Hegseth has made it clear that his vision for the Pentagon includes a crackdown on political correctness and a renewed focus on military readiness and merit.
Former President Trump, who has made clear his support for Hegseth, also highlighted his nominee’s commitment to reforming the Department of Defense and returning it to a merit-based, results-driven institution. Trump pointed to Hegseth’s recent book, The War Against Warriors, which critiques the left-wing influence on military culture and advocates for a stronger, more lethal force capable of confronting global threats.
Despite the growing concerns, many Senate Republicans have yet to publicly oppose Hegseth’s confirmation. Some, like Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, have indicated they are taking a wait-and-see approach, acknowledging that while certain media reports about Hegseth are troubling, they are not necessarily reflective of the full picture.
Hegseth himself has defended his record and expressed confidence that, like Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh before him, he will overcome the scrutiny. He has characterized the allegations as part of a smear campaign, with many of his colleagues defending him publicly. Hegseth remains resolute, vowing to continue fighting for the values that make America strong, particularly in terms of military readiness and national security.
In the coming weeks, the confirmation process for Hegseth will intensify as senators continue to scrutinize his qualifications and address the allegations against him. With a narrow Republican majority in the Senate, every vote will count in determining whether Hegseth will take the helm at the Pentagon, a key position for ensuring America’s defense capabilities remain strong and undeterred by political pressures.