Speaker of the House Paul Ryan explained Tuesday why he’s used his leadership platform recently to interject his opinion into the presidential race.
“As the speaker of the House, I don’t think I should be jumping in to the day to day, but when I see occasions where our conservative principles are being distorted, I feel the need to stand up for the Republican Party and for conservative principles,” Ryan told EWTN in a pre-taped interview that aired late Tuesday.
The GOP leader was referring to two instances that he has spoken out against party front-runner Donald Trump. Following the Paris terrorist attacks in November, Ryan first broke his silence when he decried Trump’s call for a religious test on all immigrants. Then on Tuesday, Ryan used a press conference to again criticize the businessman-turned-politician’s refusal to denounce the support of former Ku Klux Klan Grand Wizard David Duke.
Although Trump later tweeted that he disavowed Duke’s endorsement, Ryan said the move was not enough.
“If a person wants to be the nominee of the Republican Party, there can be no evasion and no games,” Ryan told reporters earlier Tuesday. “They must reject any group or cause that is built on bigotry. This party does not prey on people’s prejudices. We appeal to their highest ideals. We are the party of Lincoln. We believe all people are created equal in the eyes of God and the law.”
Ryan, who ran as Mitt Romney’s vice presidential pick in 2012, indicated he is not afraid to weigh in again on Trump’s behavior should it be necessary, but added he hopes Tuesday was the last time he’ll have to speak out on the race.
