MAGA Celebrates as Notorious RINO Senator Known for Attacking Pete Hegseth Announces She Is Quitting Congress

After years of tension between her and the party’s conservative base, Senator Joni Ernst has officially announced that she will not seek reelection in 2026 — a decision that has set off celebration among many in the MAGA movement, who long viewed her as a “Republican In Name Only.” Her announcement comes after months of speculation about her political future and years of criticism from hardline conservatives who accused her of abandoning the populist values that fueled the party’s base.

Ernst made her announcement in a polished, emotionally charged video, describing her decision as the result of deep reflection and prayer. The Iowa senator, known nationally for her military service and early rise in politics, began her statement with a tone of gratitude and pride, calling her years in office “the privilege of a lifetime.”

“My fellow Iowans,” she began, “serving as your United States Senator has been the honor of my life. From growing up and working on my family’s farm in rural southwest Iowa, to over two decades of service in the Army Reserves and Iowa National Guard, and now as your senator — I’ve been blessed to dedicate my life to serving our great state and our country.”

Her words, while sincere, landed differently across the political spectrum. Many moderates and establishment Republicans praised her for her service and bipartisan approach, while MAGA-aligned conservatives saw her retirement as long overdue.

In recent years, Ernst’s political identity has become a point of friction within her own party. Once celebrated as a rising GOP star and the first female combat veteran elected to the U.S. Senate, she found herself increasingly at odds with the populist right. The breaking point for many came when she opposed conservative media figure Pete Hegseth’s rumored nomination to a cabinet post, a move that triggered widespread backlash among Trump loyalists.

Her critics quickly branded her a “RINO” — a Republican in name only — accusing her of siding too often with Washington insiders and failing to push back against what they see as the excesses of the political establishment. On social media, the reaction to her departure was immediate and fierce. “🚨 BREAKING: RINO Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), who tried to DERAIL Pete Hegseth’s confirmation, just officially announced she will NOT be running for reelection,” conservative activist Nick Sotor posted on X. “Iowa can finally elect a real America First senator in 2026!”

Still, Ernst maintained her trademark composure and optimism throughout her announcement, emphasizing that her decision stemmed not from politics, but from family. “Having been raised in a family who gave me so much love and support, now as our family ages and grows, it’s time for me to give back to them,” she said. “After much prayer and reflection, I will not be seeking reelection in 2026. This was no easy decision.”

In the same video, she reflected on her unlikely journey from small-town Iowa to the halls of Congress, underscoring her appreciation for the opportunities she’d been given. “I never imagined that a farm girl from Montgomery County would one day serve as a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army and then as a United States senator,” she said. “By the grace of God, 11 years ago, Iowans entrusted me with the honor of being the first female combat veteran to serve in the Senate.”

Ernst went on to list her legislative accomplishments — a hallmark of farewell speeches — highlighting her efforts to reduce government waste, support farmers, and strengthen the military. “We’ve cut waste, fraud, and abuse across the federal government,” she said. “We’ve protected the lives of the unborn, prevented violence against women, and fought for our veterans. We’ve worked to ensure that Iowa’s farmers, small businesses, and families have a voice in Washington.”

Yet for many conservatives, those words rang hollow. Over the past decade, the political landscape in Iowa has shifted sharply toward the populist right. Figures like former President Donald Trump and Governor Kim Reynolds have consolidated support among voters who view Washington traditionalists with suspicion. In that context, Ernst’s attempts at moderation — once seen as strategic — came to be viewed as weakness.

Her critics accused her of turning her back on grassroots conservatives, citing her willingness to work across the aisle on certain issues and her occasional public rebukes of Trump-era rhetoric. To her supporters, however, Ernst represented the old guard of pragmatic conservatism — a bridge between the party’s Reagan-era values and its modern nationalist strain.

As political scientist Rachel Klein from Drake University noted, “Joni Ernst’s departure marks the end of a particular kind of Republican leadership in Iowa — the kind that believed compromise wasn’t betrayal. But the base has changed. What used to be moderation is now seen as disloyalty.”

In the MAGA corners of social media, her announcement was celebrated as a victory for the movement’s ongoing campaign to reshape the GOP. “Good riddance to another fake conservative,” one prominent account wrote. “Iowa deserves a fighter who puts America First, not another politician who folds when it matters.”

Still, even her harshest detractors could not deny her legacy. Over two decades of public service, Ernst built a reputation for diligence, discipline, and personal integrity. Her colleagues in the Senate, regardless of party, often praised her work ethic and professionalism. Many also pointed to her efforts to bring attention to veterans’ mental health and rural infrastructure — issues often overlooked in Washington.

As she wrapped up her announcement, Ernst struck a hopeful note. “You can rest assured, I’m not slowing down any time soon,” she said. “There’s still much to accomplish before the end of my term. I’ll keep fighting every day to make Iowans’ voices heard in the halls of Congress. Though this chapter is closing, I will always find ways to serve my community, my state, and our great United States of America.”

Her exit sets the stage for what is likely to be one of the most closely watched Senate races in 2026. With Iowa now firmly in Republican territory, the GOP primary is expected to become a battleground between establishment figures and populist challengers backed by Trump-aligned organizations.

Already, speculation is swirling about who might step into the race. Names like Representative Ashley Hinson, Governor Kim Reynolds, and businessman Gary Leffler — a prominent MAGA supporter — have all been floated as possible contenders.

For Iowa voters, Ernst’s departure may signal more than just a political transition; it’s the symbolic end of a Republican generation that once prided itself on quiet competence and cautious coalition-building. In its place rises a movement defined by loyalty tests, social media wars, and a demand for ideological purity.

As one political commentator put it succinctly: “Joni Ernst’s retirement isn’t just the story of one senator stepping down. It’s the story of a party that’s leaving her behind.”

Whether history remembers her as a stateswoman who bridged divides or as a politician out of step with her time will depend on who follows her — and how Iowa’s voters decide what kind of conservatism they want to carry forward.

For now, Joni Ernst’s chapter in American politics closes with grace — and with the quiet dignity that has defined both her career and her farewell.