GOP Senator Joni Ernst has officially endorsed Pete Hegseth for the Department of Defense.

Despite initial uncertainty after their first meeting, Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, officially endorsed Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense on Tuesday night.

In an exclusive statement to Planet Chronicle Digital, Ernst stated that after four years of weakness in the White House, Americans deserve a strong Secretary of Defense.

"I will support President Trump's pick for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, after our conversations and hearing from Iowans. As a United States Senator and a member of the Armed Services Committee, I will work with Pete to create the most lethal fighting force and hold him to his commitments of auditing the Pentagon, ensuring opportunity for women in combat while maintaining high standards, and selecting a senior official to address and prevent sexual assault in the ranks."

On Tuesday morning, the nominee for Secretary of Defense under President-elect Trump appeared before the Senate Armed Services Committee and was questioned by members from both parties.