'Political price to pay': Trump orbit expected to ramp up Ernst criticisms while she withholds Hegseth support

Contributing sentiments towards policy:

66% : His support is strong and deep," Trump wrote on Truth Social on Friday.
56% : Trump nominated Hegseth, a former National Guard officer, as secretary of defense last month, saying "with Pete at the helm, America's enemies are on notice -- Our Military will be Great Again, and America will Never Back Down."
36% : Pete Hegseth Ramps Up Pentagon Pitch With Back-to-back Meetings On Capitol HillErnst has previously found herself at odds with the Republican Party and Trump, including in comments both during the first Trump administration and over the summer where she spoke favorably of transgender individuals serving in the military.
21% : "Trump bucked the claims last week when he doubled down on his support of Hegseth in a Truth Social post, while Vice President-elect JD Vance also said the Trump team is "not abandoning this nomination.
12% : "Dozens Of Prominent Veterans Sign Onto Letter Supporting 'Outstanding' Hegseth Nomination Amid ControversiesReports surfaced last week alleging Trump had lost faith in his nominee as Democrats slammed the choice and some Republicans, such as Sen. Lindsey Graham, remarked the allegations against Hegseth were "disturbing.

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