Maine Sen. Susan Collins told the media Wednesday that she is “shocked” by President-elect Donald Trump’s selection of Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida to serve as attorney general.

Gaetz is a Trump loyalist who has promised to overhaul the Justice Department. He angered fellow Republican lawmakers in early 2023 when he introduced the resolution that successfully ousted former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. McCarthy then helped fund a primary challenge to Gaetz that included ads alleging he paid for sex with a 17-year-old boy, an allegation currently under investigation by the House Ethics Committee.

Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing, and the Justice Department concluded its own sex-trafficking investigation without charging him.

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine. J. Scott Applewhite/Associated Press, file

Collins, a member of the new Republican Senate majority, described her surprise at Trump’s pick of Gaetz for attorney general in comments to reporters Wednesday in the lobby outside the Senate chambers.

“I was shocked by the announcement. This shows why the advice and consent process is so important and I’m sure a lot of questions will be raised at his hearing,” she said. “Obviously, the president has the right to appoint whoever he wants, but I’m sure there will be a lot of questions.”

She was cited in The New York Times, among other publications.

Collins also questioned Gaetz’s ability to win Senate confirmation, according to the report reporting from NPR.

“I’m sure there will be many, many questions raised at Mr. Gaetz’s hearing, if in fact the nomination goes forward,” she said.

Collins was not alone. Other Senate Republicans, including Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Thom Tillis of North Carolina, expressed doubt about Gaetz’s chances of being confirmed. The Associated Press reported widespread surprise among GOP members at the news.

Collins, vice chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee and a member of the Intelligence Committee, is ready to present potential stool Credits as her party takes control of the Senate.

However, that post could be in jeopardy due to Collins’ clashes with the Trump administration and reports that Sen. Mitch McConnell may be interested in the leadership of the committee itself. McConnell, the current minority leader, is stepping down from his role, and on Wednesday, Senate Republicans voted South Dakota Senator John Thune as their new leader.

Collins’ office did not respond to a request for an interview Wednesday.

The office of Sen. Angus King of Maine, an independent elected to a third term last week, said he would hear all of Trump’s nominees and make their case.

“Senator King will review and consider all nominations when the next administration formally sends them to the Senate in 2025 – although he acknowledges that some of those named so far do not appear to have the experience or expertise for the important positions at hand.” , King’s office said in an email Wednesday night.

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