Murkowski says Trump’s pick for attorney general isn’t a ‘serious candidate’

As soon as news broke that President-elect Donald Trump would nominate firebrand Congressman Matt Gaetz to be attorney general, a group of reporters at the Capitol wanted to know what Senator Lisa Murkowski thought.

“He is under investigation by the House Ethics Committee but could now potentially become attorney general,” a Bloomberg reporter said.

“Do you think he’s a serious candidate?” Murkowski asked, standing at attention at the door of the Senate Chamber.

Reporters asked him: Is Gaetz a serious candidate?

“From my point of view, no,” he said.

Murkowski burst into the Senate Chamber and reporters went to their phones and broadcast her verbatim: “From my point of view, no.”

This was a preview of the attractions to come. We expect Murkowski to be in the spotlight next year. If Trump follows normal procedure, he will need the Senate to confirm his cabinet and hundreds of other appointments. Murkowski, a non-MAGA Republican, is among a handful of senators who could stand in his way.

Gaetz is a surprise choice. He is a far-right House member who is loyal to Trump and led the impeachment of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Parliamentary Ethics Committee is investigating Allegations against Gaetz The accusations include sexual misconduct and illegal drug use, among other accusations, all of which Gaetz denies. His newly announced resignation from the House of Representatives ended the investigation.

Trump will only need 50 Republican senators for a confirmation vote, so he can afford to lose a few. But Murkowski isn’t the only Republican who is skeptical. Sen. Susan Collins of Maine said important questions will be asked at Gaetz’s confirmation hearing. Given their voting history, Collins and Murkowski are the most likely to vote against their party. But Gaetz’s choice was so shocking that even more conservative senators cast doubt on his confirmation.