Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa, who had been seen as a key Republican skeptic of Pete Hegseth’s nomination to lead the Defense Department, said she will support him after his performance at Tuesday’s confirmation hearing.

Pete Hegseth spent several hours in front of the Senate, where Democrats repeatedly questioned his fitness for the position of secretary of defense.

Would Pete Hegseth carry out an order to shoot American protesters? His reluctance to give a straight answer during his confirmation hearing spoke volumes.