Ty Cobb, a White House attorney to Donald Trump during the president’s first term, spelled out why he is so vehemently opposed to controversial Trump nominee Kash Patel running the FBI.

Cobb and 22 other Republican officials this week signed an open letter which called on senators not to confirm Patel to the role. They argued he has “poor judgment” and is seeking revenge on critics of Trump.

“Confirming Patel would be a grievous mistake that would endanger the FBI’s integrity and compromise its critical mission,” they wrote.

Patel’s hearings take place on Thursday.

On Wednesday’s broadcast of CNN’s “OutFront,” Cobb told host Erin Burnett it would be “a significantly demoralizing event” if conspiracy theory peddler and 2020 election denier Patel is confirmed.

“Perhaps the most demoralizing event in the history of the FBI,” Cobb predicted, warning there would be “a shocking deflation of the morale” at the agency and that Patel “is not qualified remotely by character or experience to do this.”

Patel is “somebody who is a real danger to democracy and certainly a dagger in the heart of the FBI,” he added.

“Strong words,” acknowledged Burnett.

Watch the exchange here: