Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird is urging Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) to support Pete Hegseth’s confirmation as President-elect Donald Trump’s Secretary of Defense. Bird made her case in a Breitbart op-ed, calling for Republican unity to advance Trump’s cabinet amid allegations that have clouded Hegseth’s nomination.
Sen. Ernst, a key member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, has yet to commit to supporting Hegseth. Her vote is critical in the committee’s preliminary evaluation, where the nomination will be decided before reaching the Senate floor. Ernst discussed her position with Fox News, acknowledging that while her conversation with Hegseth was “frank and productive,” she remains cautious.
Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird just came out in support of Trump’s cabinet nominees, sending a message to Joni Ernst. 👀
That Senate seat is hers if Hegseth isn’t confirmed. pic.twitter.com/FKb7YRLBHC
— johnny maga (@_johnnymaga) December 6, 2024
“I think that it is incredibly important to ensure a thorough vetting process,” Ernst said. She added that senators want to see any allegations addressed, emphasizing that the process allows for careful consideration of the nominee’s qualifications.
Bird’s op-ed took a firm tone, emphasizing Trump’s significant support in Iowa and the importance of respecting voters’ choices. “Iowans have made their voice clear,” Bird wrote, referencing Trump’s resounding victory in the state. “When voters select a president, they are selecting that president’s vision for a cabinet that will enact his agenda.”
Ernst is a rat snake politician. Two-faced and fake as a 3 dollar bill. Don’t trust her at all. https://t.co/XbchgckExc
— PragMaticPatriot (@1ArdentPatriot) December 4, 2024
Bird accused Washington insiders of attempting to derail Trump’s nominees before the confirmation process begins. “What we’re witnessing in Washington right now is a Deep State attempt to undermine the will of the people,” she wrote. “We must not let Washington kill nominations before the Constitutional confirmation process even begins.”
There’s been talk of primary challenges to Joni Ernst in 2026 due to her efforts to kneecap Trump’s nominees. Here we have Iowa’s AG Brenna Bird, who unseated a Democrat incumbent in 2022, demanding confirmation of Trump’s nominees and trashing “D.C. politicians” playing games. pic.twitter.com/qJYpbzeLLm
— Sean Davis (@seanmdav) December 6, 2024
As Trump prepares to take office, early confirmation votes will play a pivotal role in enabling his administration to implement its agenda. Bird emphasized the stakes, saying, “The president’s cabinet is essential to delivering on the president’s agenda. The American people have spoken, and our elected lawmakers should listen.”
