President-elect Trump’s decision to tap Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) to become attorney general caught Senate Republicans completely flat-footed, and put the party on the defensive immediately over one of the most prominent — and polarizing — Cabinet selections.

Two key centrist members — Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) — expressed shock and surprise, with the Alaska Republican panning the choice for its lack of seriousness.

“I don’t think it’s a serious nomination for attorney general. We need to have a serious attorney general,” Murkowski told reporters. “I’m looking forward to the opportunity to consider somebody that is serious.”

“This one was not on my bingo card,” she added.

Ever since Trump’s electoral romp last week, Republicans have been calling for a swift confirmation of his nominees to the Cabinet.

But some members slammed the brakes on that talk after the nomination of Gaetz, known as a prominent rabblerouser who orchestrated the ouster of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), to become the nation’s top cop.

Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.), another potential swing vote, steadfastly refused to discuss Gaetz’s........

© The Hill