Priebus: Trump meeting a ‘step toward party unity’

Priebus said the meeting was a good step toward the party unity that both Trump and Republicans are trying to achieve.

After Trump met first with Ryan for about an hour, then moved on to a half-hour meeting with House GOP leaders. That meeting wrapped up before 11 a.m., and Trump was on the move to meet with Senate GOP leaders, including Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. The Kentucky Republican offered his tepid endorsement of Trump last week, after the billionaire’s two remaining rivals suspended their own campaigns.

Trump entered the RNC’s headquarters through a back door as protesters stood outside the Capitol Hill building. Many of the demonstrators were affiliated with immigration groups like United We Dream Action and sought to voice concern over Trump’s policies and rhetoric on immigration, chanting “undocumented and unafraid,” and “stop the hate” as Trump and others arrived.

One man arrived wearing a papier mache head that resembled Trump, adding to the circus-like atmosphere. He carried bags of money and paraded in front of the RNC doors. In the crowd, a lone Trump supporter took on the protesters.

(Susan Ferrechio/Washington Examiner)

“He loves America,” Cecilia Chambers, 78, of Washington told the Examiner.

“I’m a Trump lady,” she said, claiming that the system is “rigged” against insurgent candidates like the New York businessman.

Another man stood outside playing a bagpipe drowned out the protesters.

Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., said “intellectually, Paul’s the most important person in the party,” citing Ryan’s budget plans.

“I never offer anybody any advice unless they ask, and Paul Ryan certainly doesn’t need my advice,” said Cole, who said he has never met Trump.

“I don’t know about you but I threw away my crystal ball early in this cycle,” he said. “No, I would not have predicted this outcome.”

Rep. Chris Collins, R-N.Y., said he believes Ryan will be “solidly beside” Trump.

Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, is one of the leaders who will meet with Trump Thursday, and he said he wants assurances that Trump would pursue conservative objectives in office.

“Many constituents in my home state of Utah have serious reservations about Mr. Trump,” Hatch said. “To help unify the party and broaden his appeal, I hope Donald will listen to policymakers and carefully consider his approach to issues like international trade, religious liberty, and entitlement reform.”

Hatch also said he would offer his assistance on the issue of picking a Supreme Court nominee, should Trump win in November.

“I will offer to help identify potential Supreme Court candidates he should consider,” Hatch said. “I will also encourage Donald to soften some of his rhetoric and always act in a manner worthy of a presidential nominee.”

When asked if Ryan could lose the speakership if he doesn’t back Trump, Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y., said “I really don’t see — even though it might fit the narrative for the opposite sides of the Democratic Party. They wish to see dysfunction. I strongly believe we’re going to see, even today, more unity as the convention gets closer.

“I’m not someone that believes that there’s any one person out there — you seek one endorsement,” he said when asked if Trump needs Ryan’s support. “I would say Donald Trump is strengthened with an endorsement from the most powerful person, top-ranking Republican in the country. It helps. But I also think that the nature of their conversation today and their relationship going forward will provide an opportunity to improve chances, not just in November, but in January once they take office, so I don’t think it’s do or die [for] endorsement in particular, but I would say it would help.”

Al Weaver and Gabby Morrongiello contributed to this report.