Former Florida representative Nominating Matt Gaetz being President-elect Donald Trump’s attorney general has created a remarkable amount of hesitance on the part of Republicans who are otherwise inclined to follow Trump’s wishes.

Gaetz is unpopular with many fellow House Republicans for his effort to oust former Speaker Kevin McCarthy and a long string of stories about his personal conduct, including a federal investigation into allegations he arranged to have sex with a minor. The investigation was closed without charges, and Gaetz denies wrongdoing.

Other Republicans said Wednesday and Thursday they would consider Gaetz’s nomination with an open mind or noted favorably his endorsement of Trump. Gaetz is a longtime supporter of Trump and has frequently campaigned for him.

Here’s what Republicans are saying about him:

REPRESENTATIVE. DON BACON, Nebraska:

“I was told as a child that if you have nothing good to say, don’t say anything at all.”

JOHN BOLTON, former UN Ambassador and National Security Advisor:

“This has to be the worst nomination for a cabinet secretary in American history. I think this is something that falls well within the realm of deference that should be given to a chairman in nominating members of the senior team. Gaetz is not only totally incompetent for this job, he has no character. He is a person of moral integrity.”

SEN. SUSAN COLLINS, Maine

“Obviously the president has the right to nominate whoever he wants, but this is where the Senate advice and consent process is so important. I’m sure there will be many, many questions raised at Mr. Gaetz’s hearing if, in fact, the nomination goes forward.”

SEN. JOHN CORNYN, Texas:

“We will handle it like any other nomination. I won’t prejudge any of that.”

SEN. KEVIN CRAMER, North Dakota:

“I think it’s a bit of a test.” “It will take a lot of political capital to get it,” he confirmed.

SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM, South Carolina:

“I tend to try to help presidents with their choices. But he’s going to have to answer some tough questions in the hearing and we’ll see how he does,” Graham said in a statement released Wednesday.

Later on Wednesday, Graham said during a Fox News Channel interview: “I think Matt Gaetz is very smart. I think he’s qualified. He’s going to have a hearing and he’s going to have some tough questions to answer,” and suggested Republicans “give Matt a chance.”

SENATE GOP LEADER JOHN THUNE, South Dakota:

“That’s probably a good question for the chairman of the Judiciary Committee.”

SEN. CHUCK GRASSLEY, Iowa, the likely next chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee:

“I guess I’ll have to look into that.” That’s all I can say at this point because I don’t know much about Matt Gaetz.”

SPEAKER MIKE JOHNSON, Louisiana:

Gaetz is “one of the most intelligent” members of Congress and “a reformer in his mind and heart.” “I think he’s going to bring a lot to the table in that regard.”

REPRESENTATIVE. ANNA PAULINA LUNA, Florida:

“So a lot of people will try to brand it as a firebrand. But the truth is, there’s a lot of strategy behind Gaetz’s effort to unseat former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

SEN. MARKWAYNE MULLIN, Oklahoma:

“Matt Gaetz and I, there’s no question, we had our differences. I have total confidence in President Trump’s decision making on this. But at the same time, (Gaetz) has to come to the … Senate and sell himself. There are a lot of questions that will come up there. He has to answer those questions.”

SEN. LISA MURKOWSKI, Alaska:

“I don’t see him as a serious candidate. The president is free to appoint whomever he wants. Our constitutional role in nominations is to provide advice. … I don’t know that any of my colleagues in the Senate would have advised that Matt Gaetz’s name go up, but that’s what (Trump) seems to have advanced. But then our role is to determine the end of consent. Do we consent or not?”

SEN. MARCO RUBIO, Florida.

“I’ve known Matt for a very long time. we are friends I think he would do a very good job for the president.”

REPRESENTATIVE. MIKE SIMPSON, Idaho:

“It was as big a surprise as I’ve had in a long time. I find it very hard to believe that he could make it through the Senate confirmation process. You never know.”

SEN. THOM TILLIS, North Carolina:

“I have very few skills. Counting votes is one. I think he has a lot of work to do to get 50 votes in the Senate. “Probably, those who proposed it managed to stop. But, I’m sure it will be for a popcorn confirmation hearing. Mr. Gaetz and I have fought on certain issues between the House and the Senate. … Obviously, there were many disagreements between members of the Senate and Mr. Gaetz.”

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Beaumont reported from Des Moines, Iowa. Associated Press writers Farnoush Amiri, Stephen Groves, Kevin Freking, Mary Clare Jalonick and Lisa Mascaro in Washington contributed to this report.