President Donald Trump thanked Republican Senator Rand Paul for defending him after his controversial summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Thank you @RandPaul, you really get it! “The President has gone through a year and a half of totally partisan investigations – what’s he supposed think?” — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 17, 2018

Trump’s critics are largely concerned after he appeared to give some credence to Putin’s claim that he did not interfere in the 2016 presidential election despite being told the opposite by his intelligence community leaders.

“I have confidence in both parties,” Trump said, adding that he didn’t see any reason why Russia would interference on his behalf.

Paul was one of the only prominent Republican members of Congress to defend Trump, saying, “It’s gotten so ridiculous that someone has to stand up and say we should try to engage even our adversaries and open up our lines of communication.”

The president added, “Republicans that are making the criticism are either the pro-war Republicans like McCain and Graham or the anti-Trump ones like Sasse … They are motivated by their persistent and consistent dislike of the president.”