Joni Ernst Will Back Pete Hegseth for DOD

One of Donald Trump’s more controversial picks for his administration may have just made it over the finish line.

Pete Hegseth, who Trump nominated as his Secretary of Defense, has finally won over Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA).

Ernst is one of the final holdouts against Hegseth, now clearing the way for his nomination to be approved.

Backing Pete

I have not hidden my concerns about Hegseth, which centers around two key issues.

First, the reports that Hegseth used to show up to work hungover far too often.

Second, his experience is limited to a Major, meaning he was never really in charge of more than 200 troops. Still, now we are asking him to be responsible for several million, as well as a nearly $1 trillion annual budget.

The Pentagon does not have the best reputation for budget accountability, and Hegseth has nothing on his resume that would suggest he has any experience in this, so that is concerning.

Having said that, he may be a rockstar who can step into this situation, which is why we have committee hearings to vet him out and make sure he can handle the job.

The question then becomes if GOP Senators will vet Hegseth or rubberstamp him in fear of Trump spitting venom at them.

Ernst has been hesitant to back Hegseth, but she is now confirming that she will support Hegseth for Secretary of Defense, stating, "After four years of weakness in the White House, Americans deserve a strong Secretary of Defense.”

She continued, "Our next commander-in-chief selected Pete Hegseth to serve in this role, and after our conversations, hearing from Iowans, and doing my job as a United States Senator, I will support President Trump’s pick for Secretary of Defense.

“As I serve on the Armed Services Committee, I will work with Pete to create the most lethal fighting force and hold him to his commitments of auditing the Pentagon, ensuring opportunity for women in combat while maintaining high standards, and selecting a senior official to address and prevent sexual assault in the ranks."

As this stands, Hegseth will likely only have two votes to spare if he wants to be approved. Remember, we lose Senator Rubio (R-FL) as soon as he is confirmed as Secretary of State, which removes another buffer vote for Hegseth.

My concern is that I have yet to hear a plan for more accountability in terms of monitoring assets, as this has been more about ending DEI programs and in Ernst’s case, ensuring that sexual assault is no longer brushed under the rug.

I cannot be in that room asking questions, but I would have given just about anything to have a sit down with Hegseth to have him explain his budgetary and accountability plans for the Pentagon.