Joni Ernst Vows “Very Thorough Vetting” Of Hegseth

The Associated Press reports:

Sen. Joni Ernst made her most expansive comments yet on Pete Hegseth, telling a largely GOP audience at a California security conference Saturday that she needs to hear more from President-elect Donald Trump’s embattled defense secretary pick on key issues before she decides whether to support him.

”I am a survivor of sexual assault,” said Ernst of Iowa, a military veteran who has spent much of her time as a lawmaker working on improving how attacks are reported and prosecuted within the ranks. “I’ve worked very heavily on sexual assault measures within the military. So I’d like to hear a lot more about that.”

“I’d like to hear about the role of women in combat in our great United States military,” Ernst said Saturday at the Reagan National Defense Forum in California. “There will be a very thorough vetting before he moves forward,” Ernst said, adding that she wants to ensure it’s a fair process.

Read the full article. Prominent cultists including Charlie Kirk have vowed to primary Ernst or any Senate Republican that opposes confirming Hegseth.

Sen. Joni Ernst wants to hear from Hegseth on sex assault in the military and women in combat https://t.co/6zI2t5Kffw

— KSAT 12 (@ksatnews) December 8, 2024