Official Department of Defense announcement or press release

Ernst Supports Hegseth for Defense Secretary After Pentagon Audit Promise

Dec 9, 2024, 08:50 PM

Senator Joni Ernst has announced her support for President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, following multiple meetings between the two combat veterans. Initially hesitant, Ernst met with Hegseth twice, with the latest meeting described as 'very good' by both parties. Ernst stated, 'As I support Pete through this process, I look forward to a fair hearing based on truth, not anonymous sources.' She added, 'I appreciate Pete Hegseth’s responsiveness and respect for the process. Following our encouraging conversations, Pete committed to completing a full audit of the Pentagon and selecting a senior official who will uphold the roles and values of our servicemen and women.' Hegseth expressed his appreciation for Ernst's commitment to the process and their shared dedication to defense.