President Trump Donald John TrumpOmar fires back at Trump over rally remarks: 'This is my country' Pelosi: Trump hurrying to fill SCOTUS seat so he can repeal ObamaCare Trump mocks Biden appearance, mask use ahead of first debate MORE on Monday slammed critics of his nominee to serve as the new CIA director, saying Gina Haspel is “highly respected” and “the most qualified” for the job.

“My highly respected nominee for CIA Director, Gina Haspel, has come under fire because she was too tough on Terrorists,” Trump wrote on Twitter. “Think of that, in these very dangerous times, we have the most qualified person, a woman, who Democrats want OUT because she is too tough on terror. Win Gina!”

My highly respected nominee for CIA Director, Gina Haspel, has come under fire because she was too tough on Terrorists. Think of that, in these very dangerous times, we have the most qualified person, a woman, who Democrats want OUT because she is too tough on terror. Win Gina! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 7, 2018

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The president’s tweet comes ahead of Haspel’s scheduled appearance on Wednesday in front of the Senate Intelligence Committee, where she is expected to face a tough examination from lawmakers over her role in the CIA’s detention and interrogation program.

The White House in recent days has ramped up a push to support Haspel, who reportedly offered last week to retract her nomination.

Trump tapped Haspel for the position after nominating former CIA Director Mike Pompeo Michael (Mike) Richard PompeoOvernight Defense: Pentagon redirects pandemic funding to defense contractors | US planning for full Afghanistan withdrawal by May | Anti-Trump GOP group puts ads in military papers Overnight Defense: House Democrats unveil stopgap spending measure to GOP opposition | Bill includes .6B for new subs | Trump issues Iran sanctions after world shrugs at US action at UN Navalny calls on Russia to return clothes he was wearing when he fell ill MORE to become secretary of State.

The Senate confirmed Pompeo’s nomination late last month.