Readers are talking about Jimmy Carter, the Art Center, DOGE and legislative headlines in letters published Jan. 13-20, 2025.

Joni Ernst announced this week she will vote to confirm Pete Hegseth as the nation’s next secretary of defense, it underlined President-elect Donald Trump’s immense sway over Congress and the grassroots in Iowa as he returns to the White House.

Look at Nebraska's just-completed Senate race to see that fealty to Donald Trump wouldn't guarantee Ernst keeps her seat, writes Mike Michener.

Iowa, listens at the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee confirmation hearing for South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to be Secretary of

Republican Sen. Joni Ernst, seen by Trump allies as a pivotal vote, said she would back the defense secretary pick.

David Axelrod said Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman could be among those who will support some of Trump's Cabinet picks.

Up first is former Fox News host Pete Hegseth, who Trump nominated for defense secretary. Hegseth has been a controversial pick from the start, with past allegations of sexual assault, financial mismanagement and misconduct coming to light since Trump announced his pick in November.

Confirmation hearings begin this week for President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet. The Republican-led senate is likely to confirm most of Trump’s picks but the fate of some of his more controversial nominees is still unclear.

Joni Ernst announced this week she will vote to ... the Senate’s “advice and consent” role for presidential cabinet nominees. “This has never been about who's making a lot of noise ...

Sen. Joni Ernst revealed she is officially supporting Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense after Tuesday's hearing.