Some Republican senators surprised by Trump's defense pick

Who?

Republican senators are expressing surprise and concern over President Trump's nomination of Patrick Shanahan, the former deputy defense secretary, to be the permanent defense secretary.

The nomination has been met with mixed reactions from senators, with some expressing support for Shanahan and others expressing reservations.

Some of the senators who have expressed surprise at the nomination include Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), and Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine).

Thune said that he was "surprised" by the nomination, while Blunt said that he was "a little bit surprised" by the choice.

Collins said that she was "surprised" by the nomination, but that she would wait to learn more about Shanahan before making a decision on whether to support him.