Joni Ernst had been seen as a key hurdle to Pete Hegseth’s confirmation. She approached her questions firmly but without confrontation Tuesday.

Joni Ernst announced this week she will vote to confirm Pete Hegseth as the nation’s next secretary of defense, it underlined President-elect Donald Trump’s immense sway over Congress and the grassroots in Iowa as he returns to the White House.

Iowa's Republican U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst said Tuesday she will vote to confirm Pete Hegseth to lead the U.S. Department of Defense, ending weeks of speculation about whether she would stand in opposition to President-elect Donald Trump.

Letters published Jan. 13-19, 2025, deal with state government and the resolution of Des Moines' Greenwood Park art installation saga.

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.

Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), a key member of the Senate Armed Services Committee who has championed women serving in combat roles, announced Tuesday that she will vote for Pete Hegseth,

On this week's On Iowa politics podcast, SCJ's Jared McNett, Lee Des Moines Bureau Chief May Marchel Hoff and QCT's Sarah Watson talk Condition of the State address and a potential casino moratorium.

Joni Ernst pressed Pete Hegseth about ... who grew up in eastern Iowa, is headlining a political event in West Des Moines later this month in an apparent attempt to help drive home the threat.

Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, delivers remarks during a Senate Armed ... is headlining a political event in West Des Moines later this month in an apparent attempt to help drive home the threat.