Iowa Republican Sen. Joni Ernst has not had a close relationship with President Donald Trump, and was initially cool towards his nomination of Pete Hegseth for secretary of Defense.

That history left some of Trump's MAGA base cheering this week after Ernst announced she is dropping out from next year's Senate race. 

Ernst: "I will not be seeking re-election in 2026"

According to Breitbart, Ernst made her intentions public via a video which was posted to social media on Tuesday, saying, "Serving as your United States senator is the privilege of a lifetime."

My message to Iowans: pic.twitter.com/K6mHG6bSuE

— Joni Ernst (@SenJoniErnst) September 2, 2025

"Now, as our family ages and grows, it’s my time to give back to them. After a tremendous amount of prayer and reflection, I will not be seeking re-election in 2026," she continued.

"While this chapter of elected service will soon close, I will always find ways to best serve my community, state, and these great United States of America," the lawmaker went on to add.

Ernst made history in 2014 when she became the first woman ever to represent Iowa in the Senate and subsequently went on to twice win reelection.

Senator introduced bill named for victim of illegal alien drunk driver

Breitbart noted how Ernst was praised by Iowa Republican Party Chairman Jeff Kaufmann, who saluted her history "cutting government waste, stopping abuse of taxpayer dollars, protecting Iowa’s farms and small businesses, and passing Sarah’s Law."

Sarah's Law is a piece of legislation Ernst introduced earlier this year as an amendment to the Laken Riley Act and is named for a 21-year-old woman who was killed by an illegal alien drunk driver.

Arkansas Republican Sen. Tom Cotton also expressed kind words for Ernst in a social media post, calling her "an outstanding senator, a patriot, and a trusted friend."

Meanwhile, South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham characterized Ernst as being "one of the most effective voices in our country for a strong military and robust foreign policy."

Ernst help found Senate's DOGE caucus

Breitbart recalled how in February, Ernst helped found the Senate's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) caucus as part of an effort to curtail waste and "make Washington squeal."

"I literally have several staff members on my team that are entirely dedicated to uncovering fraud and waste within the federal government," she told Breitbart host Alex Marlow.

"So, not only am I working to uncover that, but then my role and oversight in the United States Senate is then to provide solutions, find the policy that will correct the behaviors that we have seen in the federal government," the senator declared.