Written by Jonathan Paul.
Joni Ernst, the Republican Senator from Iowa, has found herself in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. According to a bombshell report from The Federalist, Ernst has been on a personal crusade to derail Pete Hegseth’s nomination as Secretary of Defense by President-elect Donald Trump.
The accusations? Ernst allegedly placed multiple calls to Trump, urging him to reconsider Hegseth’s nomination, even as she kept those efforts under wraps during a recent meeting with the nominee. In that meeting, which she described as “frank and thorough,” Ernst failed to mention her behind-the-scenes campaign to tank his chances.
While Ernst publicly acknowledged Hegseth’s military service in a social media post, she stopped short of voicing support for his nomination. According to insiders, her endgame might be more self-serving. A source close to Trump revealed that Ernst could be angling for the Defense Secretary position herself. This adds a dramatic twist to an already tense political standoff.
But Ernst isn’t the only one complicating the nomination. Senator Lindsey Graham has also reportedly urged Trump to consider Ernst over Hegseth. Could this be part of a broader power play?
Pete Hegseth Under Siege
Pete Hegseth, a decorated veteran and Fox News personality, hasn’t had an easy ride. Media outlets like The New York Times and Breitbart News have leveled a series of unverified allegations against him.
The most serious claim dates back to 2017, when Hegseth was accused of sexually assaulting a woman during a conference. However, police investigations debunked the allegations. Witness accounts and surveillance footage painted a different picture: a consensual encounter.
Other reports, including one from NBC News, accuse Hegseth of heavy drinking during his time at Fox News, citing unnamed employees who claimed he often “smelled of alcohol” on set. These reports have been fiercely disputed by many of Hegseth’s former colleagues, who described the accusations as baseless.
Despite the lack of concrete evidence, these allegations have emboldened several Republican senators to oppose Hegseth’s nomination. Ernst has called the reports “serious” and emphasized the need for a thorough discussion, but critics argue her stance reeks of opportunism.
Joni Ernst’s Controversial Past
This isn’t Ernst’s first brush with controversy. During her 2019 divorce proceedings, she accused her ex-husband of infidelity and physical abuse, claims that he has denied. These allegations have cast a shadow over her political career, raising questions about her credibility.
Adding fuel to the fire, Ernst has reportedly threatened to rally female senators against Hegseth unless Trump withdraws his nomination. This aggressive lobbying has some wondering whether her motives are truly about Hegseth’s qualifications—or her own ambitions.
With Republicans holding a slim majority in the Senate, Ernst’s campaign against Hegseth could have serious implications. If just three GOP senators defect, Hegseth’s nomination could be in jeopardy.
Our Take
The drama surrounding Pete Hegseth’s nomination lays bare the ugly side of political maneuvering. Ernst’s alleged attempts to sabotage Hegseth for personal gain are troubling, especially when paired with her murky track record. Her actions don’t just undermine Trump’s choice; they set a dangerous precedent for backroom politics taking precedence over merit.
If senators like Ernst and Graham continue to prioritize their own ambitions over fair deliberation, the American public could lose faith in the integrity of the nomination process. And let’s be honest—when political gamesmanship overshadows genuine scrutiny, we all lose.
