Prominent Fox News hosts Mark Levin and Tammy Bruce publicly criticized Senators Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) for their reported attempts to obstruct Pete Hegseth’s nomination for Secretary of Defense. The sharp rebukes highlight escalating tensions over President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet selections as his administration readies for a second term.
Levin, the host of Life, Liberty & Levin, accused Ernst of orchestrating a covert effort to rally Republican opposition against Hegseth, a Fox News contributor and former Army officer known for his strong conservative views. “Joni Ernst is the ringleader seeking to derail Pete Hegseth’s nomination,” Levin posted. “She has worked to organize Republican opposition in the Senate and deny Hegseth a rollcall vote on his nomination.” Levin also accused Graham of “lobbying hard” against Hegseth’s confirmation, as his remarks reflect a growing frustration among Trump allies who see Hegseth’s nomination as crucial to overhauling U.S. defense policy.
Joni Ernst & Lindsey Graham working overtime to derail President Trump’s nomination of Pete Hegseth for SecDef.
I am told that Joni Ernst is the ringleader seeking to derail Pete Hegseth’s nomination by President Trump for Defense Secretary. She has worked to organize…
— Mark R. Levin (@marklevinshow) December 5, 2024
Fox News host Tammy Bruce joined the fray, tweeting directly at Ernst and Graham: “It appears that both of you have become overconfident in relying on how the status quo has worked up to this point. But as a friendly reminder, things have changed, and continuing to try to kneecap Hegseth will not work out well for either one of you.”
Hi @SenJoniErnst and @LindseyGrahamSC. It appears that both of you have become overconfident in relying on how the status quo has worked up to this point. But as a friendly reminder, things have changed, and continuing to try to kneecap Hegseth will not work out well for either… https://t.co/iSiUtPuMwp
— Tammy Bruce (@HeyTammyBruce) December 6, 2024
Ernst (R-IA) has been waging what has been described as an “‘aggressive’ personal jihad” against Hegseth, according to a report from The Federalist. Multiple sources close to Trump revealed to the outlet that Ernst has personally called the president-elect multiple times, urging him to withdraw Hegseth’s nomination. One such call reportedly occurred shortly before Ernst met with Hegseth in her office on Wednesday afternoon. During the meeting, Ernst did not disclose her efforts to oppose his nomination but engaged in what was described as a “frank and thorough discussion” with him.
In an X post announcing the meeting, Ernst, an Iraq war veteran and retired Army National Guard officer, stated that she appreciates “Pete Hegseth’s service to our country, something we both share,” though the senator did not indicate whether she plans to support his nomination.
“She’s waging a campaign to replace Pete with herself,” a Trump source familiar with the conversation told The Federalist. When asked about potentially filling the roll by The Hill reporter Alex Bolton, Ernst opted not to give a direct answer. “Pete is the nominee,” she said. The report surfaces as Hegseth continues to face a wave of unproven allegations from several media outlets critical of Trump, including The New York Times and Breitbart News.
Hegseth, a Fox News host and veteran of multiple tours in the War on Terror, was initially accused of sexually assaulting a woman during a 2017 conference. However, a police report casts significant doubt on the accusation. Testimony from multiple witnesses and surveillance footage indicate that the encounter was consensual. Additionally, Hegseth appeared visibly intoxicated when the accuser, who remains unnamed, led him away from the hotel bar.
Another report from NBC News citing several “anonymous sources” claimed that Hegseth would often show up to work at Fox smelling of alcohol. But dozens of former co-hosts, guests, and contributors to the network have since gone on the record refuting the allegations as “bullshit.” Meanwhile, the New York Post reported this week that “zero” Republican senators are privately opposed to Hegseth’s nomination, according to several sources.