Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) faced sharp criticism on MSNBC’s Morning Joe after announcing her support for Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump’s controversial defense secretary nominee. The decision came despite Ernst’s earlier concerns about allegations of sexual assault and public drunkenness surrounding Hegseth, reported Raw Story.
Host Joe Scarborough did not hold back while discussing Ernst’s apparent shift in stance after facing backlash from far-right commentators on X (formerly Twitter).
“You know Joni Ernst came out and she spoke her mind and was very concerned, obviously, about women in combat—something that she has fought for in her public life,” Scarborough said. “Also very concerned about sexual harassment and sexual abuse inside the military. And she made no secret of the fact that she was concerned about Pete Hegseth.”
Scarborough noted how Ernst’s initial resolve seemed to waver quickly under pressure. “She had a couple of hours of people saying nasty things about her on X and asked somebody reportedly, ‘How do I make this stop?'” he added, laughing at the abrupt reversal. “The people who get voting cards these days, it’s crazy. It really is.”
The panel then speculated about other Republican senators who might also oppose Hegseth’s nomination due to his lack of experience and controversial past. Scarborough specifically pointed to Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) as a likely holdout.
“I mean, we will see what happens with Lisa Murkowski, somebody who does not let an hour and a half of tough times on social media move her,” he said. Scarborough contrasted Murkowski’s reputation for independence with Ernst’s apparent capitulation.
He also mentioned other key GOP senators, including Susan Collins (R-ME), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), and Dave McCormick (R-PA), as potential swing votes.
The criticism of Ernst reflects broader concerns over Hegseth’s nomination, which has divided Republican lawmakers. For Ernst, the backlash underscores the difficulty of balancing personal principles with political pressures, particularly in the face of intense social media campaigns.
Whether other senators will follow Ernst’s lead or stand firm in opposition remains a pivotal question as Trump’s nominee faces further scrutiny.
