Pivotal GOP Sen. Joni Ernst suggests she doesn't yet support Pete Hegseth as Trump defense secretary

WASHINGTON – Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, who is critical to the confirmation of Pete Hegseth as President-elect Donald Trump’s secretary of defense, said Thursday she has not decided whether to support the embattled nominee.

Ernst sits on the Senate Armed Services Committee, which will be charged with casting an initial vote on Hegseth’s nomination.

“I do appreciate the service to the nation. I also am a combat veteran, so we talked about a number of those issues, and we will continue with the vetting process,” Ernst said on Fox News Thursday morning, discussing a meeting she had with Hegseth earlier this week. “We had a very frank and productive discussion, and I know that we will continue to have conversation in the upcoming months.”

But when Fox News anchors clarified that Ernst didn't appear to be a “yes” on Hegseth’s confirmation yet, the Iowa senator replied, “I think you are right.”

“For a number of our senators, they want to make sure that the allegations have been cleared and that's why we have to have a very thorough vetting process,” said Ernst.

Republicans will hold a 53-47 Senate majority next year, meaning Hegseth could afford to lose the support of just three Republicans and still be confirmed if Democrats unite against him as expected.

Ernst is also on Trump's list of candidates who could replace Hegseth as his defense nominee, according to multiple reports.

Hegseth faces allegations of sexual assault and reports that he was intoxicated on the job while he served as president of the nonprofit Concerned Veterans for America that could stymie his confirmation. Ernst has publicly talked about being a survivor of sexual assault and domestic violence.

Hegseth, who previously served in the Army National Guard, has denied the allegations and said he plans to continue the nomination process so long as he has Trump’s support.

Rep. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., who also serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee, told CNN Thursday that he believes Hegseth still has a path forward to Senate confirmation.

Ernst declined to say what might sway her to support Hegseth’s confirmation when asked by reporters later on Thursday.

Contributing: Reuters

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Will Hegseth be confirmed?Senator suggests she doesn't yet support