Cory Gardner once called Donald Trump a “buffoon” and even called for him to drop out of the presidential race a month before the election, but the U.S. senator from Yuma is now busy handing out olive branches to the administration.

Thursday Gardner, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, met with South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, Trump’s likely nominee to be ambassador to the United Nations.

Gardner said he was sure she would be an outstanding pick for the job.

“We discussed many topics, including U.S. policy toward North Korea and agreed the current administration’s policy of ‘strategic patience’ has failed,” Gardner said in a statement. “I’m excited to work with Governor Haley and the Trump administration to promote U.S. interests abroad and ensure the safety and security of all Americans. Throughout her tenure as governor, Governor Haley has always put the people of South Carolina first, and I’m confident she will now put the American people first as she enters her new role as U.N. Ambassador.”

This week Gardner also has had facetime with billionaire investor Wilbur Ross, the proposed commerce secretary, and former George W. Bush administration labor secretary Elaine Chao, Trump’s proposed nominee to head transportation-a key contact for Colorado, which needs billions of dollars in highway aid.

Gardner, a former House member elected to the Senate in 2014, is an up-and-comer. Last month he was picked to chair the National Republican Senatorial Committee.