"I was shocked." Lawmakers react to Gaetz's choice to become Trump's attorney general

As he entered the Senate chamber during votes, Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, reacted to the news that President-elect Trump nominated Rep. Matt GaetzR-Fla., to become attorney general.

“Clearly the president has the right to nominate whoever he wants,” Collins said. “But this is why the Senate advice and consent process is so important.”

“I am sure that many questions will arise during Mr. Gaetz’s confirmation hearing if the nomination actually goes forward,” she added.

Republican Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, did not offer her opinion on the nominee, but said, “He’ll have his work cut out for him.”

Another rank-and-file Republican in the House of Representatives put it bluntly: “It’s an obvious throwaway nomination that has no chance in the Senate.”

Gaetz is under investigation by the House Ethics Committee on sex trafficking and drug charges. He has denied these allegations, noting that the related FBI investigation that began in 2020 concluded without charges. The ethical investigation is still ongoing.

Fellow Trump ally, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., indicated he is leaning toward supporting whoever Trump chooses for either of these roles in his administration, though he admitted his “surprise” at the choice.

“Confirmation hearings will be important. (Gaetz) will have to answer some tough questions,” Graham predicted.

‘I am inclined to support the choices of the presidential cabinet. “I did it for both sides,” he continued.

Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, who is for a position in the Trump cabinetdeclined to say how he might vote on the nomination, saying, “I’ve known Matt for a long time,” and that he expects Gaetz to be confirmed.

“Presidents deserve great respect as president (he) has a mandate and he has the right to surround himself with people he trusts, especially in a position of such importance,” Rubio added.

Rubio went on to comment on the former Democratic party Rep. Tulsi GabbardShe says her upcoming appointment as director of national intelligence is a sign of the “big tent” Trump has created.