Sen. Mike Lee Michael (Mike) Shumway LeeMcConnell shores up GOP support for coronavirus package McConnell tries to unify GOP Davis: The Hall of Shame for GOP senators who remain silent on Donald Trump MORE (R-Utah) floated on Thursday that President Trump should nominate Merrick Garland, former President Barack Obama Barack Hussein ObamaGOP senator blocks Schumer resolution aimed at Biden probe as tensions run high D-Day for Trump: September 29 Obama says making a voting plan is part of 'how to quarantine successfully' MORE's Supreme Court nominee, to be the next FBI director.

"Instead of a special prosecutor, @realDonaldTrump should nominate Merrick Garland to replace James Comey," Lee wrote on Twitter Thursday morning.

Instead of a special prosecutor, @realDonaldTrump should nominate Merrick Garland to replace James Comey. — Mike Lee (@SenMikeLee) May 11, 2017

Conn Carroll, a spokesman for Lee, added that he wasn't joking about making the Obama nominee the head of the FBI.

"He's eminently qualified and has the reputation needed to restore public confidence in FBI," he told The Hill, asked about why Lee would suggest Garland.

Carroll added on Twitter that Garland "has extensive prosecutorial experience including overseeing the OKC bombing investigation."

Merrick Garland has extensive prosecutorial experience including overseeing the OKC bombing investigation. — Conn Carroll (@conncarroll) May 11, 2017

Garland, then working for the Department of Justice, helped oversee the investigation and prosecution of the 1995 Oklahoma City Bombing.

Whoever succeeds James Comey — whom Trump fired Tuesday — would be responsible for overseeing the FBI's investigation into Russia's meddling in last year's presidential election and any possible connections between members of Trump's campaign and Moscow.

The next FBI director will only need 51 votes to clear the Senate after Democrats changed the rules for executive nominations during the Obama administration, meaning Trump could clear his pick through without help from Democrats.

If Trump nominated Garland, that would also open up a seat on the powerful D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, allowing Trump to fill the vacancy.

Lee's suggestion appeared to immediately get the support of at least one colleague. GOP Sen. Steve Daines (Mont.) retweeted Lee's suggestion.

Updated 11:39 a.m.