Senator Joni Ernst, a survivor of sexual assault, has pledged to thoroughly vet potential Pentagon nominee Pete Hegseth, citing concerns about his past comments on women and the military. Ernst, a Republican from Iowa, said she will scrutinize Hegseth’s record and question him about his views on women in the military and his handling of sexual assault allegations.
Ernst, who serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said she is committed to ensuring that the next Secretary of the Army is someone who understands the importance of supporting survivors of sexual assault and promoting a culture of respect and inclusivity within the military.
As a survivor of sexual assault herself, Ernst said she is particularly concerned about Hegseth’s past comments on women in the military. In 2013, Hegseth, a former Army National Guard officer and Fox News contributor, wrote an op-ed in which he argued that women should not be allowed to serve in combat roles.
Ernst said she is also troubled by Hegseth’s handling of sexual assault allegations during his time as the CEO of Concerned Veterans for America, a conservative advocacy group. In 2015, a former employee of the group alleged that Hegseth had mishandled her report of being sexually assaulted by a colleague.
“I want to make sure that whoever is nominated for this position is someone who understands the gravity of this issue and is committed to taking action to address it,” Ernst said in an interview. “I will be scrutinizing Mr. Hegseth’s record and questioning him about his views on women in the military and his handling of sexual assault allegations.”
Ernst’s pledge to thoroughly vet Hegseth comes as the Trump administration is facing criticism for its handling of sexual assault allegations within the military. In 2019, the Pentagon reported a 10% increase in sexual assault allegations, with 6,176 reports filed in the fiscal year 2019.
The nomination of Hegseth, who has been a vocal supporter of President Trump, has sparked controversy among some lawmakers and advocacy groups. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a Democrat from New York, has expressed opposition to Hegseth’s nomination, citing concerns about his views on women in the military.
“Pete Hegseth’s nomination is a slap in the face to the thousands of women who have bravely served our country in combat,” Gillibrand said in a statement. “His outdated and sexist views on women in the military have no place in our government, and I will do everything in my power to block his nomination.”
Ernst, who has been a vocal advocate for survivors of sexual assault, said she is committed to ensuring that the next Secretary of the Army is someone who shares her commitment to supporting survivors and promoting a culture of respect and inclusivity within the military.
“I will be working closely with my colleagues on the Senate Armed Services Committee to ensure that we thoroughly vet Mr. Hegseth’s record and question him about his views on women in the military and his handling of sexual assault allegations,” Ernst said. “I am committed to ensuring that the next Secretary of the Army is someone who understands the importance of supporting survivors of sexual assault and promoting a culture of respect and inclusivity within the military.”
The Senate Armed Services Committee is expected to hold a hearing on Hegseth’s nomination in the coming weeks. Ernst said she will be questioning Hegseth about his views on women in the military and his handling of sexual assault allegations, and will be working closely with her colleagues to ensure that he is thoroughly vetted.
In a statement, Hegseth’s spokesperson said that he is committed to supporting survivors of sexual assault and promoting a culture of respect and inclusivity within the military.
“Pete Hegseth is committed to supporting survivors of sexual assault and promoting a culture of respect and inclusivity within the military,” the spokesperson said. “He believes that every service member deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, and he will work tirelessly to ensure that the military is a safe and inclusive place for all service members.”
The nomination of Hegseth comes as the military is facing increased scrutiny over its handling of sexual assault allegations. In 2019, the Pentagon reported a 10% increase in sexual assault allegations, with 6,176 reports filed in the fiscal year 2019.
The military has taken steps to address the issue, including the implementation of new policies and procedures for reporting and investigating sexual assault allegations. However, advocacy groups and lawmakers say that more needs to be done to address the issue.
Ernst’s pledge to thoroughly vet Hegseth is seen as a significant development in the nomination process, and could potentially impact the outcome of the nomination. The Senate Armed Services Committee is expected to hold a hearing on Hegseth’s nomination in the coming weeks.
