Former CIA and NSA director Michael Hayden bashed Republicans on Wednesday, saying that he agreed with the claim that there was no more dangerous “political force” than Republicans.

Hayden made the comments in response to a tweet from Financial Times editor and writer Edward Luce. Luce tweeted, “I’ve covered extremism and violent ideologies around the world over my career. Have never come across a political force more nihilistic, dangerous & contemptible than today’s Republicans. Nothing close.”

The former intelligence director shared the statement, saying, “I agree. And I was the CIA director.”