Former CIA Director Michael Hayden honored Sen. John McCain John Sidney McCainAnalysis: Biden victory, Democratic sweep would bring biggest boost to economy The Memo: Trump's strengths complicate election picture Mark Kelly: Arizona Senate race winner should be sworn in 'promptly' MORE after the Arizona Republican died on Saturday, saying that while they disagreed, McCain never advocated for Hayden to lose his security clearance.

“While I was at CIA, Senator JOHN McCain ripped me a new one on several occasions,” Hayden tweeted on Sunday. “But not once did he think I shouldn’t have a security clearance. Go figure. RIP, American hero.”

While I was at CIA, Senator JOHN McCain ripped me a new one on several occasions. But not once did he think I shouldn’t have a security clearance. Go figure. RIP, American hero. — Gen Michael Hayden (@GenMhayden) August 26, 2018

McCain died on Saturday at the age of 81 a little more than a year after being diagnosed with brain cancer.

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Hayden was one of many intelligence community officials who honored the former GOP presidential nominee.

Former CIA Director John Brennan John Owen BrennanJournalism or partisanship? The media's mistakes of 2016 continue in 2020 Comey on Clinton tweet: 'I regret only being involved in the 2016 election' Ex-CIA Director Brennan questioned for 8 hours in Durham review of Russia probe MORE praised McCain early Sunday morning after his death, calling him a “man of tremendous courage, patriotism, and integrity.”

“A man of tremendous courage, patriotism, and integrity, Senator John McCain will be remembered by history as one of our country’s greatest heroes,” Brennan tweeted. “His life of service and his strong decency and respect toward others should serve as a shining example for all Americans.”

A man of tremendous courage, patriotism, and integrity, Senator John McCain will be remembered by history as one of our country’s greatest heroes. His life of service and his strong decency and respect toward others should serve as a shining example for all Americans. — John O. Brennan (@JohnBrennan) August 26, 2018

Brennan and Hayden have both been battling with the Trump administration after the president decided to revoke Brennan's security clearance following Brennan’s frequent criticism of the president.

Hayden is one of several ex-intelligence officials also vulnerable to losing their security clearances, according to a list presented by White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders earlier this month.

Hayden warned Trump last month that revoking his security clearance won’t have any effect on what he says or writes.

He told other Obama-era officials this week that they can’t let Trump’s actions stand.

"The issue here is, is it a good idea to allow the president of the United States to take from an American something he or she would otherwise have, and to do it because the president disagrees with their political speech," he told Hill.TV.

"When you put it that way, I think the question answers itself. You just can't let that stand," he said.