Ryan again strikes different tone than Trump on Muslims

House Speaker Paul Ryan said he does not think a ban on Muslims is in the country’s interest – countering Republican presumptive nominee Donald Trump’s calls for a temporary shutdown on Muslims entering the United States.

U.S. Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-WI) holds a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington March 17, 2016. “I do not think it is reflective of our principles”.

“We are at war with Islamist terrorists”, the report says, and “we must act like we are fighting a war”. “The vast, vast majority of Muslims in the country and around the world are moderate, are peaceful, and are tolerant”.

“Let’s also be clear, members of the LGBT community were the targets”, Ryan said.

“Look, I’ve spoken to him about the Muslim ban and how I disagree with it”.

Since that statement was released by Ryan and his staff, more than a few Democrats have said Ryan’s office is advancing a political agenda, claiming their political opponents are accusing the Democrats of actions they simply did not do. “So they are among our best allies, among our best resources, in this fight against radical Islamic terrorism”.

“This is a threat that knows no borders”, Ryan continued.

Another reporter asked Ryan if Trump was wrong to double down on his call for a Muslim entry ban and whether Ryan stands by his original remarks on the ban. Former Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, who has been fervently anti-Trump, also wants to run in four years, according to the longtime Republican backer.

Ryan has repeatedly contradicted Trump over the intervening two weeks, desperately trying to preserve the idea that Trump doesn’t speak for the entire Republican party.

Ryan reiterated that his support for Trump comes down to which presidential candidate could better turn those proposals into reality.

A leading House GOP voice on national security issues, Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill., an Air Force major, broke sharply with Trump in a radio interview Monday. “There is an important distinction that every American needs to keep in mind”, he said. Last week, Ryan said Trump’s attacks on federal judge Gonzalo Curiel’s Mexican heritage were “the textbook definition of a racist comment”.

Tuesday marked just the latest example of the Speaker, the highest-ranking elected Republican in the country, breaking with Trump, who will accept the GOP nomination next month in Cleveland.