Former House Speaker Paul Ryan is expected to criticize what he views as the GOP’s allegiance to former President Donald Trump without naming him directly in a speech on Thursday.
The Wisconsin Republican, who is scheduled to speak at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California, will lay out a path to success for the Republican Party that is devoid of populist politics that flourished in the Trump era, according to multiple news outlets that obtained excerpts of his planned remarks.
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“Once again, we conservatives find ourselves at a crossroads,” the excerpts read. “And here’s one reality we have to face: If the conservative cause depends on the populist appeal of one personality, or on second-rate imitations, then we’re not going anywhere. Voters looking for Republican leaders want to see independence and mettle.”
“We win majorities by directing our loyalty and respect to voters, and by staying faithful to the conservative principles that unite us,” it continues. “This was true even when the person leading our movement was as impressive, polished, and agreeable as they come.”
Ryan was sometimes critical of the former president during his time as speaker, but he said during a June 2018 interview with CNN, “I find it’s more effective to speak directly to the president about issues and concerns than to go on TV and speak about the president.”
The Wisconsin politician is also expected to argue that President Joe Biden is pursuing a radically far-left agenda.
“In 2020, the country wanted a nice guy who would move to the center and depolarize our politics,” the excerpt reads. “Instead, we got a nice guy pursuing an agenda more leftist than any president in my lifetime. These policies might have the full approval of his progressive supporters, but they break faith with the middle-of-the-road folks who made the difference for him on Election Day.”
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When asked to comment on the speech, Jason Miller, a senior adviser for Trump, said, “Who is Paul Ryan?” in a text to the New York Times.
Ryan’s speech is part of the library’s “A Time for Choosing” speaker series.
