There’s ample evidence Pete Hegseth, Trump’s nominee to run the Dept. of Defense is a drunk and a sexual predator. His nomination seemed about be be flushed down Trump’s fake gold toilet last week but Trump dug in. Apparently so did MAGA. It’s still not a done deal for Hegseth but as of now he’s a whole lot closer to confirmation. Iowa Senator Joni Ernst, who was floated as a possible replacement pick instead of Hegseth was a key member of the “No” group of GOP Senators. During her own career in uniform Ernst was the victim of sexual assault. Over her twenty (plus) years of Reserve and Guard service she saw and experienced her share of sexual harassment. And not only knew of rapes/sexual assault but experienced that horrific trauma firsthand. No matter now. She’s announced today she will support Hegseth’s nomination!
I couldn’t believe the headline of this article from Raw Story but upon reading the piece sure enough Ernst has bowed to the pressure she’s been getting behind the scenes. This is huge. Yes, there’s still time for her to change her mind back to the sensible position she’d held and there’s no telling what information is yet to come out about Hegseth. However Trump and his people have gone all in. Frankly I shudder at the messages that have flooded into her offices, both in DC and back in Iowa. Raw, vile, hateful talk and outright threats meant to trigger every awful memory Ernst has of her assault.
That however is Trump and MAGA. Ernst is actually qualified for the very job Hegseth, even absent the drinking, rapey aspects to his character simply is not. Not even close. However she’s a woman and to Trump that means she’s nothing but ‘packaging’ around a hole to f**k assuming the ‘packaging’ is “hot” enough. Same with way too many others in his orbit and MAGAs in general. Ernst has many political views I disagree with but when it comes to pushing the military to address and reduce the problem of sexual harassment and sexual assault she’s been a warrior. I have no doubt, none that she knows Hegseth’s type all too well and that he’s guilty of everything we’ve heard about and so much more.
I ask myself about the pressure she’s been facing behind the scenes. Clearly her colleagues haven’t provided support. So fearful of Trump are they that they left the handful of holdouts, and Ernst in particular out to dry. But when it comes to Ernst, if she wasn’t the ‘face of the opposition’ she was close to being so. Look, I’m an old white guy and fortunately never the victim of sexual assault. Or molestation when I was growing up. However I’ve known my share of people who have been through that trauma. I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if in addition to straight up political pressure about being primaried, shoved on to committees that don’t help Iowans and the like she’s been subjected to plenty of the ugliest comments one can imagine. Like I said earlier, meant to trigger that awful experience. I wouldn’t be surprised in the least to, some years down the road read a biography/autobiography of Ernst stating she’s been going through and emotional rape recently.
Well, I’m speculating and like I said I’m a guy and an old one at that. Some women reading this might feel I’ve overstepped and if so I apologize. It’s just that regardless of differences on economic stuff and abortion and other policies THIS, the issue of sexual assault and harassment in the ranks is something I’ve admired Ernst’s leadership on. I can’t imagine the pressure Team Trump/MAGA has been putting on her, but an awful lot of women and not all of them in the military have been counting on her to help block Hegseth’s nomination. It sure as hell seemed like she was going to put him through the wringer if he stuck it out to get an actual confirmation hearing. Instead we have this:
But on Monday, Ernst met with him again and now pledges her support.
“Pete committed to completing a full audit of the Pentagon and selecting a senior official who will uphold the roles and value of our servicemen and women and who will prioritize and strengthen my work to prevent sexual assault within the ranks,” she writes in a statement.
She also went on to talk about a ‘fair hearing’, one based on ‘truth’ rather than ‘anonymous sources.’ Really? Let’s start with Hegseth releasing the victim of sexual assault he paid off from her NDA! Some journalist needs to ask Ernst whether THAT came up today. In the meantime, I feel let down. Women’s roles were a lot more limited back when I was on active duty but I served with some terrific ones. Women capable of much more than they were then allowed to do. Of course, as was the case with guys I served with some weren’t worth much at all. However over time, opportunities for women have expanded. Sadly, treatment of them as in NOT sexually harassing or assaulting them has not.
I wonder what the response will be to Ernst from women who feel betrayed by her caving in to Trump. She could leave the Senate tomorrow and enjoy a good, quiet and quite comfortable life. Worse for her, she’ll never be forgiven by a lot of MAGA for stating opposition to Hegseth in the first place. Now, women who looked up to her, who COUNTED on her leadership are I suspect feeling betrayed tonight. I wonder how many will speak up? Maybe, hopefully enough that given the slightest excuse (some new revelation about Hegseth) Ernst can again return to her FORMERLY principled stance against him becoming Secretary of Defense.
We can only hope. Because without Ernst in strong and public opposition I fear this nomination will be confirmed.
no way would the victim going in front of a confirmation hearing for Hegstaff would make any difference, just no way.
I suspect his being a rapist is a plus in Trump’s eyes. To see how his hearing will proceed,we have only to look to Brett Kavanaugh’s.
Liz Cheney afforded us all a shining example of courage in the face of MAGAt bullying. Her courage cost her her political career, a loss which is to the eternal shame of the GOP and all the cowards who inhabit it. Sadly, not everyone facing a similar choice has Ms Cheney’s spine.
Hmmm, Hegseth is known to have a way with women.