Earlier today, in what was widely perceived as a significant boost to Trump’s entire slate of nominees, Joni Ernst stated that she is keeping an open mind about secretary of defense nominee Pete Hegseth, following a concerted MAGA pressure campaign to force uncooperative Republican senators to acquiesce to the president-elect’s agenda. Earlier in Trump’s cabinet nomination blitzkrieg, when Matt Gaetz withdrew himself from consideration for attorney general, there were signs that some Republicans might break ranks over the likes of Hegseth or Tulsi Gabbard. Two weeks later, with Trump surrogates warning that “primaries are going to be launched” at senators who try to derail his nominees, Ernst is going to be feeling the heat.