Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich says the Washington, D.C., establishment is enraged with President Trump Donald John TrumpUS reimposes UN sanctions on Iran amid increasing tensions Jeff Flake: Republicans 'should hold the same position' on SCOTUS vacancy as 2016 Trump supporters chant 'Fill that seat' at North Carolina rally MORE because he is following through on his promise to "drain the swamp."

"Donald Trump really is draining the swamp, and the alligators are really unhappy," Gingrich told John Catsimatidis on AM970's "The Answer." "This guy is actually doing what he said he would do: We're getting conservative judges nominated. We are getting regulations rolled back."

"We're getting a much more aggressive pro-American trade policy and pro-American foreign policy," Gingrich said. "The other side sees this as the end of their way of life."

The former House leader pointed to the release of American hostages held by the Taliban by Pakistani troops this week as a concrete result of Trump's foreign policy shift.

“The Pakistanis understand how much tougher and how much more aggressive the Trump Administration is than the Obama Administration," Gingrich said. "And I think they're trying to find some way to appease us because they know that we are very angry at them."

ADVERTISEMENT

"Remember, they had bin Laden in their country for a decade," he added. "As a result, they’re scrambling to find a way to appease us."

Trump praised the release of the hostages in an announcement at the White House on Friday.

“This is a positive moment for our country's relationship with Pakistan,” Trump said in a statement, calling it “a sign that it is honoring America's wishes for it to do more to provide security in the region.”

“It’s very important,” he added later. “I think a lot of countries are beginning to respect the United States of America once again."