Ernst will vote for Hegseth, handing Trump big win

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, President-elect Trump’s choice to lead the Pentagon.

Ernst said she would support Hegseth after sitting through his lengthy confirmation hearing Tuesday, where Democrats attacked the nominee for his lack of experience, infidelity and allegations of sexual and financial misconduct.

Hegseth repeatedly defended himself from what he called false...