Joni Ernst Says She Will Vote to Confirm Pete Hegseth The Iowa Republican’s decision dramatically increases the likelihood that Mr. Hegseth will have enough votes to be confirmed as President-elect Donald J. Trump’s defense secretary.

Ernst Suggests She Will Not Oppose Hegseth for Defense Secretary Senator Joni Ernst, Republican of Iowa, said she would “support Pete through this process,” stopping short of promising to vote to confirm him but indicating a turnabout from her previous skepticism.