A key Republican senator says she’s not ready to commit to approving President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for defense secretary, but that she’s also not working to derail the nomination.
“I don’t have a campaign against Pete,” Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) told RealClearPolitics. “I just want to make sure the process is able to play out and that we’re thoroughly vetting him.”
Trump selected military veteran and former Fox News host Pete Hegseth as defense secretary. The post is among those that require Senate confirmation.
Republicans will enjoy a 53–47 majority in the upper chamber starting in January 2025, but some of Trump’s nominees could still be blocked if enough GOP senators oppose them. Former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), Trump’s first choice as attorney general, has already withdrawn after Republican senators expressed concern with the pick….