Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) is reportedly waging an aggressive campaign to derail Pete Hegseth’s nomination for Secretary of Defense.
According to sources close to the Trump camp, Ernst has been making direct appeals to former President Donald Trump, urging him to withdraw Hegseth’s nomination and positioning herself as a potential replacement.
Sources familiar with private discussions have told ABC News that a growing list of potential replacements is being considered. The names reportedly include Iowa Senator Joni Ernst and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
The Federalist reported Wednesday that Ernst has not only called Trump multiple times but also hinted at rallying female senators against Hegseth if Trump doesn’t reconsider the nomination.
Despite these efforts, during her Wednesday meeting with Hegseth, Ernst gave no indication of her behind-the-scenes moves, according to insiders.
“She’s waging a campaign to replace Pete with herself,” a Trump ally familiar with the situation told the news outlet.
Ernst later posted on X (formerly Twitter) about her meeting with Hegseth, saying, “I appreciate Pete Hegseth’s service to our country, something we both share. Today, as part of the confirmation process, we had a frank and thorough conversation.”
I appreciate Pete Hegseth’s service to our country, something we both share.
Today, as part of the confirmation process, we had a frank and thorough conversation.
— Joni Ernst (@SenJoniErnst) December 4, 2024
In a Thursday interview, Ernst reiterated her stance, stating she is not yet a “Yes” following her meeting with Pete Hegseth.
Iowa Republican Senator Joni Ernst — who happily voted for LLoyd Austin to run DoD —
— explains that right now, she is not a “yes” vote for Pete Hegseth. pic.twitter.com/zlPsyj7tgc
— Western Lensman (@WesternLensman) December 5, 2024
According to sources, Ernst’s efforts were relentless, involving multiple calls to Trump, described by an insider as “constant nagging.”
These claims were echoed by Mark Levin, stating, “I am told that Joni Ernst is the ringleader seeking to derail Pete Hegseth’s nomination by President Trump for Defense Secretary.”
He continued, “She has worked to organize Republican opposition in the Senate and deny Hegseth a rollcall vote on his nomination. All she needs is 4 or 5 Republicans to go along with her. She has also been involved in a press campaign against Hegseth. Lindsey Graham has also lobbied hard against Hegseth.”
Joni Ernst & Lindsey Graham working overtime to derail President Trump’s nomination of Pete Hegseth for SecDef.
I am told that Joni Ernst is the ringleader seeking to derail Pete Hegseth’s nomination by President Trump for Defense Secretary. She has worked to organize…
— Mark R. Levin (@marklevinshow) December 5, 2024
A representative for Ernst dismissed the claims as “just more Washington whispers,” affirming that her meeting with Hegseth was a standard part of the confirmation review.
The timing of Ernst’s alleged crusade coincides with a surge in unsubstantiated accusations against Hegseth.
Paul Rieckhoff, Founder of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans for America, believes that Senator Joni Ernst holds significant sway over the outcome due to her military background.
“Right now, the key to all this, I think, is Joni Ernst. You asked me who is going to be key here. Joni Ernst is a combat veteran, more moderate than Pete Hegseth, and a sexual assault survivor,” Reickhoff told Nicole Wallace on Deadline.
“He has to sit across from her and explain how he’s going to effectively lead people like her—how he’s going to pass her criteria to be the leader of a military that has 200,000 women, especially after he made the policy position that he wants to remove women from the military.”
“As I mentioned before, he has implied that women are not equal. He’s essentially saying to Joni Ernst, you are not equal to me; you can’t do the same things I do. Now, if she votes no or comes out of this meeting saying she has reservations, I think he’s done. At that point, I believe Trump will either put DeSantis forward or suggest Ernst herself as an alternative,” Rieckhoff added.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) has reportedly joined Ernst’s efforts to sway Trump. Over the weekend, Graham allegedly pushed the former president to reconsider Hegseth’s nomination. On Tuesday, Graham publicly called the allegations against Hegseth “disturbing” in an interview with CBS News.
“I think some of these articles are very disturbing,” Graham said. “Some of the things have to be addressed, and we’ll see.”
