After a second meeting with Hegseth, Ernst hinted whether she supported confirmation or not.

Iowa Republican Sen. Joni Ernst, the first female military veteran elected to the U.S. Senate and a member of the Armed Services Committee, said she would support President-elect Trump’s nominee for secretary of defense.

After meeting with Pete Hegseth for the second time on Monday, Ernst said in a statement: “I will support Pete throughout this process and look forward to a fair hearing based on the truth rather than anonymous sources. “

Hegseth, an Army National Guard soldier who served in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and was a longtime Fox News host until last month, has been the focus of numerous reports highlighting a series of allegations of drinking and sexual misconduct. There is.

Hegseth has denied allegations of abusing women and vowed not to drink “a drop of alcohol” if confirmed as defense secretary. A separate report revealed allegations that Mr. Hegseth mismanaged a nonprofit organization for veterans that he once led.

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Ernst is a conservative lawmaker who was first elected to the Senate in 2014 and is seen as a crucial vote in the confirmation battle over Hegseth, who has questioned the role of women in combat in the past.

The senator is also a sexual assault survivor and has a strong record in the Legislature addressing sexual assault and harassment in the military.

In a statement, she said, “After our encouraging conversations, Pete will complete a full audit of the Department of Defense and select senior officials based on quality and standards, not quotas, to protect the roles and values ​​of service members and service members. I promised that.” Someone who will prioritize and strengthen my work to prevent sexual assault within our ranks. ”

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Ernst’s office told Fox News on Monday that “the senator has consistently followed the process he has described from the beginning and is performing his duties as a United States senator.”

After meeting with Hegseth last week, Ernst said in a social media post that he had a “candid and thorough” conversation with Trump’s defense secretary nominee.

The next day, in an interview on Fox News’ “America’s Newsroom,” when asked if he was ready to vote to confirm Hegseth, the senator said, “I think you’re right.” answered.

“I’m really looking forward to meeting with Sen. Ernst. I’m grateful to her and I respect her career and accomplishments,” Hegseth told Fox News’ Aisha Husny ahead of his second meeting with the senator. She’s great, and we’re still having conversations.” It was very fruitful. ”

In recent days, prominent Trump allies have threatened to foment a primary challenge against Ernst for re-election in 2026.

“This is a red line. This is no joke. … The money is already being raised. Donors are calling like crazy. The primaries will begin,” said an influential conservative activist. said radio and television host Charlie Kirk. He co-founded and operates Turning Point USA.

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“If you support the president’s policies, you’re OK. The primaries are marked OK. Don’t be surprised, Joni, if you run against President Pete Hegseth again and again,” Kirk said on his radio show. ‘ he warned. Ernst, if you suddenly find yourself faced with a major challenge in Iowa. ”

In Iowa, conservative commentator and media personality Steve Deese took to social media and used his radio show to emphasize his intention to challenge Ernst in the primary.

“To defeat an incumbent U.S. senator, you will need great name recognition, connections, and potential financial resources,” DeAce wrote. “I’m one of the few people in Iowa who has all three.”

“I don’t want to be a senator, but if I believe in myself, I will support her for the cause,” said DeAce, who endorsed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis at this year’s Iowa Republican presidential caucus. ” he said. He will either have President Trump’s support or he will throw his support and network behind someone else that President Trump would prefer to prioritize Joni Ernst. ”

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Byrd, a prominent supporter of President Trump in the Iowa caucuses, wrote a column for Breitbart urging Hegseth’s confirmation.

Byrd did not mention Ernst by name, but said, “DC believes it can ignore the voices of voters and entertain slander from the same media that has been pushing lies for years.” targeted politicians.

Sen. Joni Ernst, Republican, Iowa (Drew Angerer/Getty Images/File)

David Kochel, a veteran Republican consultant who was Mr. Ernst’s chief strategist in his 2014 Senate race and an early supporter of Mr. Ernst’s success, told Fox News, “Joni Ernst… “My job is to do what the Constitution requires, which is advice and consent.”

“I think everyone should give her space to do her job. Threatening veterans usually doesn’t work,” Kochel said.

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President Trump has praised Hegseth in recent days.

“Mr. Hegseth is doing very well. His support is much stronger and thicker than fake news,” the president-elect wrote on Friday.

However, news outlets such as Fox News have reported that President Trump may be considering naming DeSantis as defense secretary to replace Hegseth if his nomination fails.

Ernst’s name has also been mentioned as a possible successor.

But the senator said in an interview with RealClearPolitics last week, “I don’t want to be secretary of defense.”

FOX News’ Chad Pergram, Tyler Olson and Julia Johnson contributed to this report.