‘I Was Shocked’: Susan Collins Becomes First GOP Senator to Oppose Matt Gaetz For Attorney General
Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) became the first Republican Senator on Wednesday to say she will not vote for President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for attorney general, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL).
“I was shocked at the nomination,” Collins told PunchBowl’s Max Cohen.
“This is why the Senate’s advise and consent process is so important. I’m sure that there will be many, many questions raised at Mr Gaetz’s hearing,” she added.
Cohen also reported on North Carolina Sen. Tom Tillis’s reaction:
Tillis on Gaetz: “It’s gonna take a lot of work to get to 50” yes votes. Tillis adds it will lead to “Popcorn-eating confirmation hearing” content I’ll give him an honest look, Tillis adds.
Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) told Cohen he’s “’still trying to absorb all this’ when asked about Gaetz for AG and Gabbard for DNI. Cornyn visiting raised his eyebrows when first informed by the press of the Gaetz pick,” added Cohen.
The Republicans will have a 53-seat majority in the U.S. Senate, but have signaled a willingness to allow Trump’s cabinet to be installed via recess appointments.
“We must act quickly and decisively to get the president’s nominees in place as soon as possible, & all options are on the table to make that happen, including recess appointments. We cannot let Schumer and Senate Dems block the will of the American people,” newly-elected GOP Senate Leader John Thune (R-SD) said on X this week.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
