'Political price to pay': Trump orbit expected to ramp up Ernst criticisms while she withholds Hegseth support

"It's really this simple: If you oppose President Trump's nominees, you oppose the Trump agenda and there will be a political price to pay for that. We are well aware that there are certain establishment Senators trying to tank the President's nominees to make him look weak and damage him politically, and we're just not going to allow that to happen," a top Trump ally told Fox News Digital. 

Hegseth has since been on Capitol Hill meeting with Republican senators to rally support as he battles allegations of sexual misconduct and excessive drinking. Hegseth has denied any wrongdoing. 

Hegseth added in his own comment on the meeting with Ernst, that he had a "substantive conversation with Senator Ernst, I appreciate her sincere commitment to defense policy, and I look forward to meeting with her again next week."

Reports surfaced last week alleging Trump had lost faith in his nominee as Democrats slammed the choice and some Republicans, such as Sen. Lindsey Graham, remarked the allegations against Hegseth were "disturbing." 

"I am a survivor of sexual assault, so I have worked very heavily on sexual assault measures within the military, so I'd like to hear a little more about that, and I'd like to hear about the role of women in our great United States military," Ernst said, according to Politico. 

She added that she was "excited" to meet with Hegseth, "but there will be a very thorough vetting before he moves forward."

Hegseth will head back to Capitol Hill this week to rally support for his nomination as conservatives and Trump supporters intensify their criticisms against Ernst and other colleagues who have stalled on supporting Hegseth despite voting to confirm Biden nominees nearly four years ago. 

"If you're a GOP Senator who voted for Lloyd Austin, but criticize @PeteHegseth, then maybe you're in the wrong political party!" Don Trump Jr. wrote on X.

"America needs a Defense Secretary who knows what it means to fight, and understands the price of freedom. Pete Hegseth is a patriot, a decorated combat veteran and a warrior who will stop at nothing to keep America safe," the ad says. 

"The Deep State is trying to stop his nomination, but Pete isn't backing down. Call your senator today and urge them to confirm Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense," the ad continues. 

Ernst has previously found herself at odds with the Republican Party and Trump, including in comments both during the first Trump administration and over the summer where she spoke favorably of transgender individuals serving in the military. Under the Trump administration in 2018, the 45th president officially authorized the Pentagon to ban transgender individuals from joining the military, with limited exceptions, after making the pledge to do so in 2017.

Fox News Digital reached out to Ernst's press office on Sunday but did not immediately receive a response. 

Fox News Digital's Brie Stimson contributed to this report.