Donald Trump’s decision to nominate far-right Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz as attorney general has sent shock waves through Washington, including the president-elect’s own party.

Trump on Wednesday announced Gaetz as his pick for the nation’s chief law enforcement officer at the Justice Department, a role that will lead the administration’s legal positions on critical issues including abortion, civil rights and First Amendment cases.

The Republicans were surprised by this nomination and expressing this move was not on their “bingo card”.

“I don’t think it’s a serious nomination for attorney general,” Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska told NBC News. “We need a serious attorney general. And I look forward to the opportunity to consider someone who is serious. This was not on my bingo card.”

A right-wing rabble-rouser, Gaetz was a thorn in the side of fellow Republican and former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, eventually leading the successful charge to oust McCarthy from his role.

He was investigated by the Justice Department in a sex trafficking case, although the department ultimately declined to file charges. And was investigated by the House of Representatives Ethics Committee amid allegations of sexual misconduct, illegal drug use and other alleged ethics violations.

Gaetz has vehemently denied wrongdoing.

Amid consternation even within his own party, it is unclear whether Gaetz can win Senate approval.

Republican Congressman Max Miller of Ohio told Axios that “Gaetz has a better chance of having dinner with Queen Elizabeth II than of being confirmed by the Senate.”

Miller also told Politico that Gaetz is “a reckless pick” with “a zero percent shot.”

John Bolton, a former national security adviser, said Gaetz “has to be the worst nomination for a Cabinet position in American history.”

“Not only is Gaetz completely incompetent for this job, he also doesn’t have the character. He is a person of moral turpitude,” Bolton said in an interview with NBC News.

An anonymous Republican House member told Axios: “We wanted him out of the House… this is not what we thought.” Another commented that they were “stunned and disgusted”.

Democrats were also surprised by the announcement. Vice President Kamala Harris’ team said in a statement that Trump and Gaetz “will arm the DoJ to protect themselves and their allies.”

Congressman Ro Khanna of California argued that voters did not necessarily vote for these cabinet picks when they decided to elect Trump.

“People voted for Trump for lower prices and a secure border. I don’t think they voted for the appointments they’re getting,” Khanna told CBS News. “He’s not moving downtown. He’s going to his Maga base and we’ll see if he goes too far with the mandate he was given by the American people.”

Kate Maeder, a California-based political strategist, said the announcement should not come as a surprise but questioned whether Trump trusts Gaetz to make it through the confirmation process. “It is no surprise that Trump is rewarding his political loyalists,” Maeder told the Guardian. “It comes as a shock to many that he is considering Matt Gaetz for attorney general. But is this a serious choice? I don’t think so.”

“In this political climate, it is certainly possible that Matt Gaetz will be confirmed,” she said. “But I think it will be difficult. Some of the more moderate Republican senators are already questioning this choice.”