The MAGA monster comes for Joni Ernst

24-HOUR DORMAN TODD DORMAN

It’s remarkable how fast you can go from guest to entree at the big MAGA buffet.

Iowa U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst certainly knows.

Last week, she committed the grave offense of being a voice of reason. She told Real Clear Politics she had not made up her mind on Pete Hegseth’s nomination to become secretary of defense.

Ernst said she wanted to see the confirmation process unfold. How unreasonable, a pivotal senator on the Armed Services Committee, which will be handling Hegseth’s confirmation, wants to follow the process.

But then, the MAGA warning siren wailed, and all hell broke loose.

Fox News showed a series of X posts aimed at Ernst.

Donald Trump Jr. pointed out Ernst had voted to confirm Joe Biden’s pick for defense secretary, Lloyd Austin. He suggested Ernst may be “in the wrong political party.”

Somebody called Wall Street Mav called Ernst a “neocon.” Gasp. And suggested she face a conservative primary opponent in 2026. Right-wing radio host Steve Deace bragged he could be the one to topple Ernst in that primary. Or maybe double Arizona failure Kari Lake could return to her Iowa roots. Sure.

Ernst is the first female combat veteran elected to the U.S. Senate. Hegseth is a Fox News personality who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. He’s also been overserved many times. He’s vowed to quit drinking if confirmed.

A woman has accused Hegseth of sexual assault. This, alongside multiple reports of sexual misconduct and mismanagement of veterans’ groups he led. He denies it all.

But MAGA has decided he’s the sort of strong, rugged, take-no-prisoners guy we need to make America tough again and fix the “woke” military, whatever that means.

Only one top Iowa Republican defended Ernst, Rep. Ashley Hinson. But Hinson also had to do her duty and say Hegseth is a “strong pick.”

Hegseth said women don’t belong in combat. Ernst is a combat veteran. He’s accused of sexual assault. Ernst is a sexual assault survivor. So, Ernst was supposed embrace this guy’s nomination? Be impressed by his raw manliness? Suddenly I could use a drink.

But by Monday, after MAGA bludgeoning, Ernst took a step back. She met again with Hegseth, was encouraged and said the allegations against him won’t count unless victims step forward.

“As I support Pete through this process, I look forward to a fair hearing based on truth, not anonymous sources,” Ernst said.

But will you vote for him? She didn’t really go there, but it’s likely.

It’s disappointing, but not unexpected. I wish she would have said, “Pete Hegseth? I wouldn’t put that guy in charge of latrines. I wouldn’t hand him the keys to the nation’s military if he was the last man on earth. And that last man thing sounds pretty good right now.”

If this guy wants to become secretary of defense, he’s going to have to ride the gauntlet. That’s what the confirmation process is for. Ernst wanting to wait and see makes sense.

Yes, I know. Ernst played her own role in creating the MAGA monster. She got a glimpse of what happens when it turns on you. No loyalty and genuflecting before the dear leader can save you. Toe the MAGA line, or else. This is the party of freedom.

(319) 398-8262; todd.dorman@thegazette.com