An author of seven leadership books; he has been an informal advisor to five U. S. Presidents and led a 50-person research team which catalyzed the exit of over 1,000 major multinational firms from Russia following Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.

He’s the latest administration ally to avoid questions about the war’s perpetrator.

Stephen Feinberg, President Trump’s pick to be deputy secretary of Defense, declined to say during his confirmation hearing on Tuesday whether Russia invaded Ukraine.

Hagerty avoided making a comment on who's to blame for the war but was faced with another question about whether it is "self-evident that you have to suck up to Putin in order to get him to the table."