Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin (W.Va.) gushed about President Trump's CIA nominee Gina Haspel on Fox News Wednesday after becoming the first Democrat to support her nomination.
Fox News' Neil Cavuto asked Manchin why he supported Haspel's nomination, which has met opposition due to her connection to the CIA's enhanced interrogation program during the Bush administration.
"I met with her twice personally and had a lot of in-depth conversations, and then, Neil, she's been in an open hearing which you saw on television today. And then we went into a closed meeting, a closed, high-profile meeting. This lady is the real deal," he said.
Manchin said "we hit her with everything we could" but she answered every question and "didn't flinch."
He went on to praise Haspel for her 33 years of experience and respect she has gained from those within the agency.
This was exemplified by a letter 36 former CIA chiefs and intelligence community leaders wrote to Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr (R., N.C.) and Vice Chairman Mark Warner (D., Va.) supporting her nomination.
"So I've said, hey, a person who can be a role model for how you should run your intelligence agency, a person who has respect from everyone in the field, because she's been there," Manchin said. "She's done everything she can to protect the United States of America and keep us as safe as we possibly can. And I just feel very comfortable with her, and I encourage all my colleagues to sincerely vote for this lady, because she is the best."