Des Moines, Iowa – On Friday, newly‑elected Iowa Representative‑elect Sarah Trone Garriott used her first press conference to press President Trump for a change at the Pentagon. Garriott, who will begin her term on Jan. 3, said the Department of Defense needs more experienced leadership and specifically mentioned retiring Senator Joni Ernst as a potential successor to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Garriott’s call for new leadership
“It’s clear to everyone that he’s not up to the task, and we need new leadership,” Garriott said, referencing Hegseth’s handling of the ongoing conflict in Iran. She argued that a seasoned veteran with a proven combat record would better serve the nation’s security interests.
Ernst’s credentials
Ernst, a combat veteran with more than 23 years of military service, currently sits on the Senate Armed Services Committee, which oversees the Pentagon and military policy. Garriott highlighted Ernst’s experience, noting, “There are a lot of very qualified people such as Joni Ernst. She could be a consideration.” Ernst is set to retire from the Senate in January, and Democrat Josh Turek has already been elected to succeed her.
Trump’s position
President Trump has publicly defended Hegseth, stating he has full confidence in the secretary’s performance. However, reports from CBS News indicate that the president has privately asked advisers whether Hegseth should remain in his post following Republican losses in the midterm elections. The White House has not confirmed any imminent change.
Context of the Iran conflict
The criticism of Hegseth centers on the administration’s strategy in Iran, where the war has drawn increasing scrutiny from both parties. Garriott, who campaigned on ending the Iran conflict, said, “It’s time for better leadership to make sure that we have the expertise and the level‑headedness to have a real military solution that works with a diplomatic solution as well.”
Garriott’s broader agenda
Beyond defense, Garriott outlined several priorities for her first term, including reversing recent Medicaid funding changes, making health insurance more affordable, and ending the Trump administration’s tariff policy. She will travel to Washington on Sunday for congressional orientation.
What’s next?
While there is no public indication that President Trump is currently weighing Ernst for the defense secretary role, Garriott’s remarks add pressure to an administration already facing criticism over its foreign‑policy decisions. The president’s public defense of Hegseth suggests that any change, if it occurs, will be framed as a strategic move to strengthen America’s defense capabilities.
As the new Congress convenes, Iowa voters will watch closely to see whether the administration responds to these calls for seasoned, veteran leadership at the Pentagon.
Original reporting: KCCI Des Moines — read the source article.
