Sioux City Times

Senator Joni Ernst, a Republican representing Iowa, made several statements on her social media account on August 19, 2025. Her posts addressed border security under President Trump, government spending on technology contracts during the Biden administration, and U.S. immigration policy concerning higher education.

In a post from August 19, 2025, Ernst commented on border security measures: "By securing the border now, President Trump is taking action to prevent tragedies like this from happening in the future."

Later that day, she criticized federal spending on malfunctioning equipment: "The Biden IRS was paying $500,000/year for broken, self-serve computer kiosks. The contractor that failed to deliver should repay every penny it was paid for the shoddy service and @DOGE should review any other contracts it may have with the government." In this post, Ernst called for accountability from contractors and oversight of government contracts.

In a third statement posted in the evening of August 19, Ernst addressed immigration and education policy: "Coming to America is a privilege not a right. Those who break our laws and support terrorism should not reap the benefits of studying at the best universities in the world."

These comments reflect ongoing national debates about border enforcement policies and immigration rules. During Donald Trump's presidency, there were significant changes to U.S. border security practices and increased attention to preventing illegal entry into the country. The Biden administration has faced scrutiny over federal contracting procedures as well as broader questions about eligibility for foreign students at American universities.