Joni Ernst
Role at the time: US senator and member of the Senate Armed Services Committee
Mixed or conditional
Statement summary
Joni Ernst withheld judgment on whether a 20% reduction was warranted and asked for a plan explaining which positions should change and why.
“I do have concerns”
Open the original interview (opens in a new tab)GOP senators, blindsided by Hegseth, demand notice, transparency · The HillDirectly attributed interviews with Roger Wicker, Susan Collins, Joni Ernst and Thom Tillis. The Collins passage specifies Wednesday, September 30; other interview dates are unspecified.
Bolton reports Senate responses to Hegseth's proposed 20% reduction in general and admiral positions. Some passages recall earlier confirmation-hearing remarks; those earlier remarks are distinct from the interviews reported here.
Why we used this label
Leaves the scale of reductions unresolved pending a plan and justification, while criticizing the consultation process.