Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) on Sunday defended President Donald Trump s decision to fire two key witnesses from the Houses impeachment inquiry against criticism from Democrats and some GOP lawmakers.

Graham, one of Trumps loudest supporters in Congress, told CBS Face The Nation that the president was justified in ousting Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman from the National Security Council, where he served as an expert on Ukrainian affairs.

I think his reassignment was justified, Graham said. I dont think he could be effective at the NSC.

After being subpoenaed by Congress, Vindman, a decorated Iraq War veteran, testified that he believed Trumps efforts to get Ukraine to investigate political rival Joe Biden were improper. He said he expressed his concerns to senior officials.

Vindmans testimony drew outrage from Trump, who attacked his credibility and ultimately dismissed him from his NSC position on Friday, just two days after the impeachment trial ended in an acquittal for the president.

Graham said he supports military people telling the truth when asked, and then accused intelligence officials of acting on a political agenda.

He also claimed members of Congress were forbidden from asking Vindman about his connection to the alleged whistleblower who filed a complaint about Trumps dealings with Ukraine officials last summer.

But host Margaret Brennan noted that Vindman was, in fact, asked about the whistleblower during his House testimony and that he denied knowing the persons identity .

Whats more, Brennan continued, Vindmans twin brother, Lt. Col. Yevgeny Vindman was also dismissed from his job at the White House on Friday, where he had served as a lawyer for the NSC. He had no connection to the impeachment case, Brennan added.

Graham did not address Yevgeny Vindmans ouster. He instead attacked Alexander Vindmans reputation and attempted to steer the conversation to a discussion about the FBI s investigation into Trumps 2016 campaign.

Is this retaliation? Brennan asked, putting the focus back on Trumps controversial firings. Because the president has tweeted basically saying that Vindman was forced out not because of any kind of policy issue, not because of anything else, except for what he said was listening in on his phone calls

Graham, failing to directly respond to the question, said Republicans are not going to be intimidated against asking questions to the whistleblower.

Should Gordon Sondland have been fired as well? Brennan asked, referring to the U.S. ambassador to the European Union who testified before the House impeachment proceedings and was also dismissed by Trump on Friday.

Sondland, a businessman who donated $1 million to Trumps inaugural committee, was appointed by the president to the ambassadorship in 2018 despite having zero diplomatic experience. He testified during the impeachment inquiry that Trump engaged in a quid pro quo by conditioning U.S. aid to Ukraine on officials from the European country opening the presidents requested investigations.

Hes a political appointee, Graham said of Sondland. He serves at the pleasure of the president.

Of course, but it was retaliation? Brennan pressed.

Graham would not say.

Were not going to live in a world where the Department of Justice, the CIA and the FBI can cut corners and go after Trump and nobody gives a damn, he said.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) condemned Vindmans dismissal on Friday as a brazen act of retaliation.

President Trump is impeached forever, Pelosi said in a statement. The shameful firing of Col. Vindman was a clear and brazen act of retaliation that showcases the Presidents fear of the truth. ... History will remember Lt. Col. Vindman as an American hero.

Some Republican senators, including Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Thom Tillis of North Carolina, urged Trump not to fire Sondland, The New York Times reported . The senators reportedly told the White House that it would be best to avoid political backlash by letting Sondland leave on his own terms. He was apparently preparing to make an exit after the impeachment trial wrapped up anyway. When State Department officials told him he had to resign on Friday, Sondland reportedly said no. So Trump fired him.

The Vindman brothers remain in the military and will be reassigned.