Panelists on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" made fun of Sen. Joni Ernst's efforts to run away from a press gaggle seeking answers on her new support for Donald Trump's defense secretary nominee.
The Iowa Republican has seemingly softened her opposition to former Fox News host Pete Hegseth, who faced allegations about excessive drinking, sexual misconduct, financial mismanagement and bigotry, but she tried to outrun reporters in the U.S. Capitol hallway.
"So I am supporting him through this process," Ernst told reporters, as she got onto an elevator with some aides, "and I'll just refer you back to the statement."
The reporter followed up by asking whether she would vote to confirm the Trump nominee, and another asked whether that represented a change in her position, but the senator would only say she had a "productive meeting" with Hegseth as an aide tried unsuccessfully to get the elevator doors to close.
"Did you talk to him about the allegations, as well, senator?" a reporter asked as another aide stepped forward to block the doorway.
"Thank you very much, I'll refer back to my statement," Ernst said, as the second aide turned her attention to the elevator buttons. "I am supporting the process."
The aides continued their attempt to close the elevator doors as reporters continued to press their boss on Hegseth's record.
"Did he commit to keeping women in their current roles in the military?" a reporter asked, and Ernst said he expressed support for women service members.
The doors finally closed as reporters continued peppering Ernst with questions, and host Joe Scarborough gently mocked the senator's attempt to evade the media.
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"Memo to self," Scarborough said, "when you're being chased by reporters on the Senate side of Capitol Hill, do not take the freight elevator."
"Take the stairs," said panelist Jonathan Lemire, a veteran reporter who's covered the Capitol. "That elevator door – you can see the aide growing panicked, trying to hit the door close button. The reporter had a hand in, I think. That's a pro tip."
"Is that a pro tip?" Scarborough interjected.
"On that side of the Capitol, put your hand in," Lemire added.
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