Iowa Senator Joni Ernst’s stubbornness to embrace President Trump’s Secretary of Defense nominee, Pete Hegseth, raises serious questions as Ernst’s connections to the forever war machine continue to be exposed. Ernst introduced fellow warmonger Nikki Haley at events during the Iowa Caucus. President Trump beat Nikki Haley in the January 15th, 2024 Iowa Caucus by 32 points. Despite this, Ernst still supported Haley for almost another two months. Ernst did not endorse President Trump until March of 2024. On Thursday, Loomer Unleashed reported that Ernst received donations from Raytheon’s PAC. Last month, President Trump announced that Nikki Haley would not be a part of his administration. Ernst’s past support of Haley, combined with Haley being turned away from the Trump Administration, raises serious questions about Ernst’s attempt to sink Hegseth to help Haley and her defense industry friends.
It is telling that despite the fact that President Trump beat Nikki Haley in the Iowa Caucus by 32 points, Ernst still supported Haley for almost another two months. Ernst did not endorse President Trump until March of 2024. Laura Loomer posted on Ernst’s lack of loyalty to her voters, “Hopefully, Ernst won’t go against her voter’s wishes again and will support President Trump’s nominees, especially @PeteHegseth.”
It is important to note that before the Iowa Caucus, Ernst held an event for Nikki Haley and Mike Pence. Ernst invited Pence and Haley to be her special guests at her “Roast in Ride” event in May 2023.
After the Iowa Caucus, Ernst appeared on Fox News, pushing Nikki Haley to be President Trump’s VP, saying, “Nikki Haley is the whole package. So I really believe she would be an exponential choice.”
Nikki Haley and Mike Pence are not Ernst’s only “forever war” allies. FEC records show that Ernst received donations from Raytheon’s PAC.
It is important to note that before his Secretary of Defense nomination, Lloyd Austin sat on the Raytheon Board. Ernst voted to confirm Austin in 2021. Ernst’s statement on her yes vote on Austin read, “Today I voted to confirm Lloyd Austin to be the next Secretary of Defense. As a member of @SASCGOP, I will work with SecDef Austin and hold him accountable to help prevent sexual assault in the military, ensure our troops are supported, and curb wasteful spending @DeptofDefense.”
President Trump is determined to keep warmongers out of his cabinet. Trump recently posted on TruthSocial, “I will not be inviting former Ambassador Nikki Haley or former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to join the Trump Administration, which is currently in formation. I very much enjoyed and appreciated working with them previously and would like to thank them for their service to our Country. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
Ernst’s past support of Haley, combined with Haley being turned away from the Trump Administration, raises serious questions about Ernst’s attempt to sink Hegseth to help Haley and her defense industry friends. Hopefully, Ernst puts these serious questions to rest by supporting Pete Hegseth as Trump’s Secretary of Defense nominee.
The post Senator Ernst’s Support Of Haley And Pence Raises Questions As Iowa’s Senator Says “The Vetting Will Continue” On Hegseth appeared first on Loomered.