PARKERSBURG — West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice said Friday it would be premature to discuss how he might vote as a senator on appointments by President-elect Donald Trump, but his goal in Washington, D.C., will be to “do the right thing for the people of West Virginia and the right thing for the people of this country.”

Justice answered questions about the upcoming transition with Attorney General Patrick Morrisey stepping into the governor’s office and his own move to the U.S. Senate during an online briefing in which he also announced the end to the state’s ban on outdoor burning due to recent rains.

Trump’s appointments in recent days have raised eyebrows, particularly former Congressman Matt Gaetz as attorney general and attorney and vaccine critic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.

Asked for his thoughts on those announcements, Justice, a Republican and friend of Trump’s who won the election to succeed U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, I-W.Va., handily in last week’s election, said he thought it was too early to comment. He said he believes Trump’s team has done a thorough job of vetting candidates and “we’ll do the same thing in the Senate.”

“I’ll do the same thing,” Justice said.

Some of Trump’s picks may surprise observers who think there’s a more qualified option out there, Justice said.

“But he has to have people around him that he can really count on, that are loyal to him,” the governor said. “They’ll make mistakes. But at the end of the day, if he’s got the right team, a team that he can really … work well with, it’ll end up a better, better thing for all of us.”

Justice also said that from Trump’s first term, people should realize that “if things aren’t going right, whoever is at the helm is in big trouble.”

“What does he want? He wants the same thing that I want. Make sure it goes right,” he said.

Asked how he would vote if Trump proposed eliminating the Affordable Care Act, Justice said it is “way, way, way premature” to speculate on legislation. He acknowledged his loyalty to Trump but said he will be objective and fair as a senator.

“I’m going to try with all in me at all times to protect the great people of West Virginia,” Justice said.

Justice said his office is working well with Morrisey’s transition team and he wishes the outgoing attorney general success in his new role.

Justice could be sworn in as a senator — requiring him to step down as governor — by Jan. 3, while Morrisey takes office Jan. 13. If Justice resigned before Jan. 13, Senate President Craig Blair would serve as acting governor, though he is due to be replaced Jan. 8.

In response to a question from a member of the media Friday, Justice said “we’re still a long way from a final decision on when I’m going to be sworn in.

“The cleanest way is for me to stay in office until the 13th and pass the torch to Pat,” he said.

Justice also encouraged people to be safe and responsible during the upcoming buck firearm season that starts Nov. 25 and with the impending arrival of winter weather.