Hegseth Betrayal: GOP Senator Under Fire After Her Past Is Brought Up

GOP Senator Joni Ernst says she hasn’t yet “gotten to a yes” regarding Pete Hegseth’s nomination for defense secretary. This statement is raising eyebrows, particularly considering some of the decisions she’s made far more easily in the past.

In an interview with Fox News following a meeting with Hegseth, Ernst—who holds a critical position on the Senate Armed Services Committee—acknowledged her indecision. This committee is essential for moving Hegseth’s nomination to the Senate floor. As The Hill points out, losing even one committee vote could complicate the process of securing an up-or-down vote in the full Senate.

Recognizing Ernst’s pivotal role, Hegseth and his team have launched a lobbying effort to persuade her of his qualifications for leading the Pentagon. Despite this, Ernst admitted she remains unconvinced.

“Well, I did have a very long, lengthy discussion with Pete yesterday, and I do appreciate his service to the nation,” Ernst told Fox News.

“I also am a combat veteran, so we talked about a number of those issues, and we will continue with the vetting process. I think that is incredibly important.” However, when Fox News’ Bill Hemmer remarked that it sounded like she hadn’t “gotten to a yes” yet, Ernst candidly replied, “I think you are right.”

Hegseth’s nomination has faced criticism extending beyond his professional qualifications. Among these are claims of problematic alcohol use, including incidents he has discussed openly. For example, on a 2021 podcast, Hegseth spoke about heavy drinking after his 2006 deployment to Iraq, as reported by The Washington Post.

Additionally, in a 2017 sexual assault allegation—dismissed by many as dubious—his attorney asserted Hegseth was so “visibly intoxicated” at the time of the encounter that the female accuser was the sexual “aggressor.” Hegseth denies the accusation.

Reports of misconduct at Fox News and within his veterans' nonprofits have also surfaced, though their credibility is debated. A New Yorker article compiled these allegations, though some individuals contradicted the claims. Adding to the scrutiny, a source close to President-elect Donald Trump suggested Hegseth has “not been forthright with the Transition team staff and the president-elect and vice president-elect,” though specifics were not provided.

Given Ernst’s own voting history, her hesitancy has drawn criticism. Many conservatives recall her decision to confirm Lloyd Austin as defense secretary under Joe Biden, despite Austin’s role in advancing “woke” military policies and initiating efforts to root out “extremism” without substantial evidence of its existence.

Furthermore, Ernst has expressed support for policies that some conservatives view as controversial. She has defended the inclusion of transgender troops in the military, stating, “They will bleed red just as the rest of us.” Ernst also supports allowing women on the front lines and requiring them to register for the draft. “Women are perfectly capable of contributing in combat,” she has said, adding, “If women meet the physical standards to engage in combat, they should be allowed that opportunity.”

Her stance on immigration policy has also raised concerns among some Republicans. Ernst backed the Biden administration’s “bipartisan border bill,” which critics argue was a veiled effort to grant amnesty while claiming to address the border crisis.

Given the military’s anticipated role in President-elect Trump’s deportation plans, this decision has drawn further scrutiny.

Lastly, Ernst’s hesitation regarding Hegseth’s nomination has been interpreted by some as politically motivated.

The Washington Examiner noted that Ernst is among several potential alternatives for defense secretary who could likely secure Senate confirmation without controversy. Others mentioned as potential candidates include Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Texas Rep. Wesley Hunt.

While there are valid concerns about Hegseth’s suitability for the role, Ernst’s track record raises questions about the motivations behind her position. For a senator who has supported contentious policies in the past, her stance here may appear less about principle and more about political calculation.