President-elect Donald Trump selected Gaetz on Wednesday for the spot, shocking the GOP and Democrats alike, as the former congressman will have a steep climb to be confirmed.

“I’m telling my Democratic friends, elections have consequences whether you like it or not,” Graham said on Fox News. “You are accusing Matt of doing the very thing that you did. Matt Gaetz didn’t lie under oath, Matt Gaetz did not sign FISA warrants that were based on Russian disinformation, so we’re going to give the president a chance to put his people forward.”

Graham then remarked, “To every Republican, give Matt a chance.”

Graham previously expressed indecision over his thoughts on Gaetz’s nomination, telling CNN that he doesn’t know yet and “I’ll have to think about that one.” When asked if he had concerns, he said, “We’ll see.”

On Thursday, he appeared to change his tune, fighting on behalf of Gaetz. His public support of Gaetz differs from that of his Republican colleagues on Wednesday, as many were surprised by the choice.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) said, “I don’t think it’s a serious nomination for the attorney general.”

Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), another centrist Republican, also expressed shock. “I was shocked at the nomination,” she said. “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.”

Graham made his comments alongside RNC co-Chairwoman Lara Trump, Trump’s daughter-in-law. He pushed for her selection as Sen. Marco Rubio’s (R-FL) replacement. Rubio has been selected as Trump’s secretary of state and will resign his Senate seat at some point, triggering a future special election.

“I will just say, No. 1, I hope that Governor DeSantis — it’s his job to pick — but you really couldn’t do better than Lara Trump [to replace Marco Rubio in the Senate]. She’s proven herself in the trenches; she’s ready to go on day one.”

Gaetz has stirred up controversy with his selection because he has significant allegations against him that were being investigated by the House Ethics Committee before he resigned his seat in the House.

Those allegations relate to sex trafficking and a sexual misconduct investigation.

Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said he was forced out by Gaetz because of the pending investigation. “I’ll give you the truth why I’m not speaker,” McCarthy said at an event at Georgetown University in April.

“Because one person, a member of Congress, wanted me to stop an ethics complaint because he slept with a 17-year-old, an ethics complaint that started before I ever became speaker. And that’s illegal, and I’m not gonna get in the middle of it.”

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If Gaetz had stayed in the House, the committee would still have jurisdiction over him and would have released their report in the coming days. Gaetz will undergo a confirmation next year, which will likely dig up some facts related to the investigation.

The Florida Republican does have some allies in the House, including Reps. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL), Thomas Massie (R-KY), Andy Ogles (R-TN), and Andy Biggs (R-AZ).