WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Paul Ryan is refusing to support Donald Trump as the Republican nominee for president, insisting Thursday the businessman must do more to unify the GOP.
The surprise declaration from Ryan on CNN’s “The Lead†amounted to a stunning rebuke of Trump from the Republican Party’s highest-ranking officeholder.
“I’m just not ready to do that at this point. I’m not there right now,†the Wisconsin Republican said. “And I hope to. And I want to, but I think what is required is that we unify this party.â€
In a statement, Trump responded he isn’t ready to support Ryan’s agenda.
“Perhaps in the future we can work together and come to an agreement about what is best for the American people,†Trump said. “They have been treated so badly for so long that it is about time for politicians to put them first!â€
Even in an election cycle that’s exposed extreme and very public divisions within the GOP, Ryan’s decision to withhold his support from Trump was remarkable, as the GOP’s top elected leader, second in line to the presidency, turned his back on his own party’s presumptive nominee.
The salvos involving the likely White House nominee and the House speaker were highly unusual and rarely seen in the days after a political party essentially crowns its winner and all involve work to unify the party for November’s elections.
Ryan had maintained his silence since Trump effectively clinched the nomination with a commanding win in Indiana on Tuesday that forced his two remaining rivals from the race. Other Republican leaders, including Senate Majority Mitch McConnell, offered their grudging support for Trump, and Ryan had seemed likely to eventually do the same.
Instead he balked, in comments that could also reflect concern for his own political future and potential run for president in 2020.
“We will need a standard-bearer that can unify all Republicans, all conservatives, all wings of our party, and then go to the country with an appealing agenda that can be appealing to independents and disaffected Democrats,†Ryan said. “And we have work to do on this front, and I think our nominee has to lead in that effort.â€
Ryan made clear he won’t be supporting Hillary Clinton, and he wants to come around to backing Trump. And he acknowledged the import of Trump’s victories over a field of some of the GOP’s most experienced politicians, saying the mogul had “tapped into something in this country that was very powerful. And people are sending a message to Washington that we need to learn from and listen to.
“But at the same time, now that we have a presumptive nominee who is going to be our standard-bearer, I think it’s very important that there’s a demonstration that our standards will be beared,†Ryan said.