Matt Gaetz’s nomination for attorney general is causing a stir on Capitol Hill: NPR

Lawmakers on Capitol Hill reacted with a mix of support, disbelief and silence Wednesday to the news that President-elect Trump intends to nominate Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fl., as attorney general.

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said she was “shocked” to learn Gaetz was named head of the Justice Department.

“Of course the president has the right to nominate whoever he wants,” Collins said. “But that’s why the Senate’s deliberation and consent process is so important.”

“I’m sure there will be many, many questions raised at Mr. Gaetz’s hearing if the nomination is actually accepted,” she added.

If confirmed, Gaetz, 42, would take over as head of a department that last year was investigating him for possible sex trafficking crimes. Ultimately, after a lengthy investigation, prosecutors recommended against pressing charges against him.

Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski told reporters at the Capitol she was concerned about the number of ongoing Gaetz-related investigations.

“I’m surprised by this particular nomination and perhaps a few others as well, which, again, were not names that most of us would have thought would be out there,” Murkowski said. “But President Trump, when he’s not one, he’s his own person and he’s pushing his ideas.”

Republican Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, did not comment on her opinion of the nominee, but said, “He’s still going to have a lot of work to do.”

Republicans will hold 53 seats in the next Congress after last week’s elections, meaning Gaetz can lose just three votes from his own party if he hopes to be confirmed.

One rank-and-file Republican in the House speculated bluntly about his chances: “It’s obviously a throwaway nomination that has no chance in the Senate.”

But the skepticism also has nuances. Trump ally Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said he was “leaning toward supporting Trump’s Cabinet picks” but admitted he was “surprised” by Gaetz’s nomination.

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

Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, whom Trump nominated for secretary of state, said he has known Matt “for a long time” and believes he “would do a good job.” Rubio added that he expects Gaetz to be confirmed.

“Presidents deserve great respect as president [he has] “He has a mandate and a right to surround himself with people he trusts, especially in such an important position,” he said.

Gaetz also faces an ongoing House Ethics Committee investigation related to sex trafficking and drug allegations. That investigation would end if Gaetz resigned from the House to serve as attorney general.