Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird has called on Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) to back Pete Hegseth’s nomination as Secretary of Defense. Writing in a Breitbart op-ed, Bird urged Senate Republicans to unite behind President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet picks, calling Hegseth an essential part of Trump’s agenda.
Ernst, a prominent member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, has not committed to supporting Hegseth. Speaking to Fox News, Ernst acknowledged concerns raised during the vetting process, saying, “I think for a number of our senators, they want to make sure that any allegations have been cleared, and that’s why we have to have a very thorough vetting process.”
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
Bird’s op-ed pushed back against opposition to Trump’s nominees. “When voters select a president, they are selecting that president’s vision for a cabinet that will enact his agenda,” Bird wrote. She described criticism of Hegseth as part of a broader effort by Washington insiders to undermine Trump’s administration.
Ernst’s role on the Armed Services Committee makes her vote pivotal. The committee will be the first to evaluate Hegseth’s nomination before it moves to the full Senate. Ernst described her discussion with Hegseth as “frank and productive,” but she has emphasized the need for diligence in the confirmation process.
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
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
Bird highlighted the stakes of early cabinet confirmations, noting that Trump’s administration must be ready to deliver on promises to voters. “Trump has been building a qualified, talented, and powerful team to lead his America First agenda,” Bird wrote.
As Senate Republicans weigh their decisions, Bird’s call for unity underscores the importance of securing confirmations to advance Trump’s policies.
