Latest Joni Ernst News

Fate of Trump's Cabinet picks unclear as Republicans prepare to take power in Senate

Dec. 25, 2024 07:28 AM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — The fate of President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet is still unclear after Republican senators spent much of December carefully dodging questions about Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ’s views on vaccines, accusations of sexual misconduct against Pete Hegseth and Tulsi Gabbard's 2017...

Pressure on a veteran and senator shows what's next for those who oppose Trump

Dec. 12, 2024 13:53 PM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — She’s an Iraq War combat veteran and sexual assault survivor who has advocated for years to improve how the military handles claims of sexual misconduct. But when Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, appeared initially cool to the nomination of President-elect Donald Trump...

Hegseth meets with moderate Sen. Collins as he lobbies for key votes in the Senate

Dec. 11, 2024 17:17 PM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Defense Department, said he had a “wonderful conversation” with Maine Sen. Susan Collins on Wednesday as he pushed to win enough votes for confirmation. He said he will not back down after allegations of...

Elon Musk warns Republicans against standing in Trump's way — or his

Dec. 10, 2024 00:03 AM EST

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A week after President-elect Donald Trump’s victory, Elon Musk said his political action committee would “play a significant role in primaries.” The following week, the billionaire responded to a report that he might fund challengers to GOP House...

Tulsi Gabbard, Trump's pick for intel chief, faces questions on Capitol Hill amid Syria fallout

Dec. 09, 2024 21:43 PM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump's pick for intelligence chief, Tulsi Gabbard, faced fresh scrutiny Monday on Capitol Hill about her proximity to Russian-ally Syria amid the sudden collapse of that country's hardline Assad rule. Gabbard ignored shouted questions about...

Sen. Joni Ernst wants to hear from Hegseth on sex assault in the military and women in combat

Dec. 07, 2024 20:49 PM EST

SIMI VALLEY, Calif. (AP) — Republican Sen. Joni Ernst made her most expansive comments yet on Pete Hegseth, telling a largely GOP audience at a California security conference Saturday that she needs to hear more from President-elect Donald Trump’s embattled defense secretary pick on key issues...

Trump offers a public show of support for Hegseth and says he believes he can be confirmed

Dec. 06, 2024 19:18 PM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump on Friday offered a public show of support for Pete Hegseth, his embattled choice to lead the Defense Department, whose confirmation by the Senate is in doubt as he faces questions over allegations of excessive drinking, sexual assault and his views...

Hegseth faces senators' concerns not only about his behavior but also his views on women in combat

Dec. 05, 2024 17:44 PM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — Pete Hegseth has spent the week on Capitol Hill trying to reassure Republican senators that he is fit to lead President-elect Donald Trump’s Department of Defense in the wake of high-profile allegations about excessive drinking and sexual assault. But senators...

Hegseth fights to save Pentagon nomination as sources say Trump considers DeSantis

Dec. 04, 2024 20:05 PM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — A defiant Pete Hegseth fought to save his nomination to be Donald Trump's defense secretary Wednesday as the president-elect considered possible replacements in the face of growing questions about the former Fox News host's personal conduct and ability to win Senate...

GOP lawmakers seek investigation of consulting firm over its work in China

Oct. 18, 2024 17:45 PM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — A group of Republican lawmakers is demanding a federal investigation into the U.S. consulting firm McKinsey over its work with the Chinese government and state-owned enterprises, even as the company reportedly is revamping its China business to reduce risks. A...