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.

Some MAGA-minded Republicans have suggested Kari Lake, an Iowa native, should challenge U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst in a primary in 2026.

Joni Ernst. And her appearance in the state could ... which will work to support MAGA and "America first" candidates and agendas. James McLaughlin said she thinks that, second to Trump himself ...

Joni Ernst announced this week she will vote to ... “Trump's got the bullhorn now to say, ‘MAGA nation is watching,’” outgoing Dallas County Republican Party Chair Kelley Koch said.

In a significant move, the Senate Armed Services Committee has voted along party lines to advance the nomination of Pete Hegseth as the next Secretary of Defense. This development comes as President Donald Trump aims to solidify his Cabinet with critical personnel in key positions.

He's at the apex of power now. Every month that goes by, he has a little bit less.” Click here to order your copy of this issue If you want to know how a candidate will govern, the clues are often in how they campaigned.

U.S. Vice President-elect former Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) and U.S. President-elect Donald Trump arrive to inauguration ceremonies in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. Credit - Chip Somodevilla—Getty Images

Political scientists explain the 'why' behind GOP members' reluctance to challenge Trump's agenda and potential checks from within Congress and the judiciary.

After spending a better part of the last decade investigating extremism, I have learned one thing is consistent: circular firing squads.

Three days ahead of Trump’s return to the White House, many of his most prominent Cabinet choices have sailed relatively unscathed through their hearings and are poised to win confirmation as Republican senators rallied around them and appeared largely unwilling to defy Trump’s wishes.

As far as Pete Hegseth’s nomination for secretary of Defense goes, Senator Joni Ernst was the ball game, and it was over in the second inning. Given her years of advocacy on behalf of women in the military and against sexual assault,

Incoming Trump administration officials and lawmakers are making outreach to nonprofits to facilitate research for the Department of Government Efficiency.