(ReliableNews.org) – Former Republican Representative Paul Ryan (WI) served in the House for 20 years — as House speaker for 4 of them. During the 2016 presidential election, he openly backed former President Donald Trump to win and served in Congress during his administration. But those days ended after the January 6 insurrection at the Capitol. Recently, Ryan spoke publicly against Trump and caught some heat from some in the GOP.
After hearing the former House speaker’s words on Fox News’ “Your World with Neil Cavuto,” Representative Troy Nehls (R-TX) called him a “piece of garbage.” The Texas rep stated that the GOP should kick Ryan “out of the party” for “spitting in the face” of the party’s leader — Trump. The harsh response followed Ryan’s interview where he explained why he would never again vote for the former president.
While the former speaker admitted to voting for Trump in 2016, he had hoped the former president would be a “different kind of person in office.” He accused Trump of putting himself “above the constitution,” stating he was “unfit for office.” Ryan also called the former president’s character into question, noting that January 6 was only “part of” the reason he no longer supports Trump for the White House. However, he also said he didn’t plan to vote for President Joe Biden, so it’s unclear who will get his vote in November. He plans to “write in a Republican” on his ballot.
The Fox News host asked Ryan about Trump’s claims that the former speaker is a RINO, to which he answered that the term has changed its meaning. He said it used to mean a “liberal Republican versus a conservative,” but now it means anyone who doesn’t “pledge fealty” to Trump. Ryan said he’s a “conservative Republican” and the former president is not. He said he wants a party “based on principles, not personality or populism.”
He previously described himself as a “Never-Again-Trumper.” His views highlight a clear split in the Republican party.
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