Live updates: Trump picks Matt Gaetz as his attorney general

Some Senate Republicans are expressing uncertainty about whether they will support Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz for attorney general.

This is what they said today:

New Senate Majority Leader John Thune The South Dakota lawmaker declined to say whether he is concerned about Donald Trump’s election or whether Gaetz can be confirmed, but promised that the Senate will “vet” all of the president-elect’s nominees during the confirmation process.

North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis noticed that “Mr. Gaetz and I have been fighting on certain issues between the House of Representatives and the Senate. This is what’s happening? I haven’t looked at his entire body of work and credentials here, I’m going to give him an honest look. … There were obviously a lot of disagreements between members of the Senate and Mr. Gaetz,” he told CNN, referring to Gaetz’s role in the ouster of Kevin McCarthy.

Texas Senator John CornynThe ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said: “We will do our job as a Senate, fulfill our advisory and consent functions Misconduct is being investigated, Cornyn told CNN: “I’m sure that will come up in the hearings.”

South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham He was a senior member of the Judiciary Committee and was noncommittal. “I don’t know yet. I have to think about that,” he told CNN. Asked if he had any concerns about the election, Graham replied: “We’ll see.”

North Dakota Senator Kevin Cramer expressed skepticism, noting to reporters that “there are a number of problems” with Gaetz’s nomination related to investigations into allegations of human trafficking of minors. “I mean, to be honest, I’ve been thinking about the FBI background check, that’s pretty intense for the attorney general,” he added.

Wyoming Senator John Barrasso: “The President will make bold decisions and appointments. I look forward to the hearings and the formation of his Cabinet,” Barrasso said. Asked whether it was a bold or worrisome decision, Barrasso said, “I have nothing more to add.” He was asked whether Gaetz could be confirmed but did not answer the question directly.

Kansas Senator Jerry Moran declined to comment, saying he had just heard the news. “I don’t have a quick reaction to it,” he said.

South Dakota Senator Mike Rounds said he would not make a prediction about Trump’s election. “What we can tell you now is that we always give the president the benefit of the doubt, but we still have to fulfill our role in terms of due diligence,” he said, but would not clarify whether he would do that personally would vote for Gaetz.

Florida Senator Marco Rubiowhom Trump said he would nominate for secretary of state, said: “I like Matt a lot, I know him very well.” I’m confident he’ll do a good job if the Senate confirms him. Again, presidents have the right to have the people they want in those key positions to carry out the mandate under consideration.”

Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville said he loved Gaetz and warned that it would be risky for senators to vote against him.

Missouri Senator Josh Hawley said he would “support all of the president’s nominees.”

Iowa Senator Joni Ernst said Gaetz has “a lot of work ahead of him.”

West Virginia Senator Shelley Moore Capito said, “Well, there is a process. We’ll see.”

The headline and post have been updated to reflect additional responses from Republican senators.