Iowa Republican Sen. Joni Ernst on Tuesday urged President Donald Trump to come out stronger against domestic violence in the wake of last week's resignation of White House staff secretary Rob Porter.
Ernst made the comments on CNN, saying that she's not aware of when the White House found about out about the allegations against Porter, but that she is "extremely disappointed in this situation."
"We need to send a very clear signal that it won't be tolerated," Ernst said on CNN, adding that Trump needs to be more assertive, too.
"I think (Trump) needs to send a stronger message, a stronger message. We need to allow women and men who have been abused to come out, make sure their stories are heard and believed," Ernst said.
"I am extremely disappointed in this situation. Abuse is never OK. I feel very bad for those women," Ernst said, referring to the two ex-wives of Porter.
"I am glad that they have come forward," Ernst said.
© 2026 Newsmax. All rights reserved.