GOP senators were split Tuesday over President Trump's decision to fire FBI Director James Comey, with many Republicans appearing to be caught off guard by the announcement.

Several Senate Republicans voiced concern about the decision, which comes as the FBI investigates possible ties between the Trump campaign and Russia, while others offered support for Trump, saying he was within his authority to remove Comey.

"Obviously he's been the center of controversy both among Democrats and Republicans at different times. ... It sounds to me from reading the president's letter that he lost confidence in him," Cornyn told reporters.

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Both Grassley, who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Collins, a member of the Intelligence Committee, also pointed to Comey's handling of the investigation into former Secretary of State Hilary Clinton's private email server.

“The handling of the Clinton email investigation is a clear example of how Comey's decisions have called into question the trust and political independence of the FBI," asserted Grassley, who will be responsible for shepherding Comey's successor through the Senate committee.

Collins said while Comey's handling of the Clinton case last year was "well intentioned," Trump's decision was the "inevitable conclusion" of the lingering fallout.

"It embroiled Director Comey into political controversies that unfortunately continued to this day," Collins argued.

Not every GOP senator immediately supported Trump's decision, the timing of which raised eyebrows across Washington.

“Once the Senate receives a nomination, we look forward to a full, fair, and timely confirmation process to fill the Director position. This is a critical role that is especially important as America faces serious threats at home and abroad," he said in a statement.

The decision also drew a cool response from a trio of influential Republican committee chairmen.