U.S. President Donald Trump indicated that several senators who had previously criticized his selection of Hagerty for Defense Secretary are now congratulating him on making the right choice. Trump remarked that Hagerty's nomination confirmation process was exceptionally difficult, during which he was treated "very unfairly." Trump stated, "I tell you, those who didn't support him before, those senators, my friends, who told me, 'Sir, I think you're making a mistake'—now they're calling me and saying, 'What a great pick this is.'" At a press conference on Monday, Trump also praised the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), saying, "I don't think they get enough credit for the incredible job they do."