Senate Republicans alarmed by Trump’s nomination of Matt Gaetz for attorney general

Senate Republicans reacted with alarm and dismay to President-elect Donald J. Trump’s decision to nominate Florida Republican Matt Gaetz for attorney general, with several saying they were skeptical that he could secure enough votes for confirmation .

“He’s really busy,” said Sen. Joni Ernst, Republican of Iowa, with a laugh.

Senator John Cornyn, Republican of Texas, raised eyebrows when reporters briefed him on Mr Trump’s election.

“I’m still trying to process it all,” he said, adding, “I don’t really know him, other than his public persona.”

Mr. Gaetz, one of Mr. Trump’s fiercest attack dogs on Capitol Hill, has regularly used his position on the House Judiciary Committee to question the motives of Justice Department officials and rail against what he called the “deep state.” . He was also investigated by the Justice Department for child trafficking, although Mr. Gaetz was never charged with any crimes.

But Mr. Gaetz, who was just re-elected to a fifth term, remains under an ethics investigation over his conduct, which has included allegations of sexual misconduct and illegal drug use; Sharing inappropriate images or videos on the floor of the House of Representatives; misuse of government identification information; Conversion of campaign funds to personal use; and accepting unauthorized gifts in accordance with House Rules. Mr. Gaetz has dismissed the allegations as political retaliation and said they were built on lies.

“The lawful, consensual sexual activity of adults is not the concern of Congress,” he wrote in a letter posted on social media in September.

Several members of the House of Representatives called on the Ethics Committee to immediately release the results of its investigation into Mr. Gaetz because the investigation would be closed if Mr. Gaetz resigns to take office.

The allegations of sexual misconduct and illegal drug use are likely to play a central role in his confirmation process.

“I was shocked by the announcement — it shows why the advice and consent process is so important,” said Senator Susan Collins, a Republican from Maine who has sometimes clashed with Mr. Trump. “I’m sure a lot of questions will be raised at his hearing.”

“I don’t think he’s a serious candidate,” Senator Lisa Murkowski, an Alaska Republican who has also frequently broken with Mr. Trump, said of Mr. Gaetz.

Even some of Mr. Trump’s loyal supporters declined to offer support.

Senator John Barrasso, Republican of Wyoming, declined to speak specifically about Mr. Gaetz’s candidacy, reiterating that he looks forward to all of Mr. Trump’s nominees receiving confirmation hearings and forming the president-elect’s Cabinet.

Sen. Chuck Grassley, an Iowa Republican and former Judiciary Committee chairman, stood expressionless as reporters asked him if he had any concerns about Gaetz and refused to answer.

Democrats seized on the nomination and the GOP’s unease, arguing that their votes to nominate Mr. Gaetz would serve as a litmus test of whether Republicans would be willing to push back against the president-elect over the institutions of the federal government to protect.

“The key question is whether they will have the backbone and respect for justice — it’s as simple as that,” Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Democrat of Connecticut, said of Senate Republicans. “This nomination will likely be the first test of her integrity.”

Mr. Trump has urged Senate Republicans to allow him to bypass the confirmation process by ordering recesses during which he can deploy staff without Senate approval. It was not clear whether Sen. John Thune, the South Dakota Republican elected majority leader on Wednesday, would be willing to do that for Mr. Gaetz or other candidates who may struggle to garner enough support for confirmation.

At least one Senate Republican said he viewed Gaetz’s nomination favorably.

“He’s a smart — smart guy,” Sen. Lindsey Graham, Republican of South Carolina, said of Mr. Gaetz, adding: “Normally I support the president’s picks in his Cabinet. I did that for both sides. That’s my disposition.”

Luke Broadwater, Carl Hulse, Maya C. Miller And Annie Karni contributed to the reporting.