At a Tuesday morning press conference, House speaker Paul Ryan argued against imposing a ban on Muslims entering the United States.
“[Muslims] are among our best allies and resources against the fight with radical Islam,” Ryan said.
Ryan’s statements are in stark contrast to Donald Trump’s, who, while not explicitly reiterating his earlier call for a moratorium in Muslim migration into the United States, said on Monday, “When I’m elected, I will suspend immigration from areas of the world where there is a proven history of terrorism against the United States, Europe or our allies, until we fully understand how to end these threats.”
Ryan instead focused on the need for robust security tests and a better vetting process for refugees, which he said is being addressed in a plan from the Congressional National Security Task Force.
“This is a threat that knows know borders,” Ryan said. “This is a threat that simply needs to be defeated.”
Lindsey Curnutte is a Fund for American Studies intern at THE WEEKLY STANDARD and a junior at Ohio University.
