House Speaker Paul Ryan has been loyal to President Donald Trump, although he has criticized Trump in the past, according to Rep. Adam Kinzinger.
After Breitbart released audio of Ryan last year saying he would not defend Trump's action, Kinzinger, an Illinois Republican, made the comments in defense of Ryan Tuesday on CNN's "New Day."
"In the campaign, we were all struggling with what was being done, what was being said — very unorthodox. And then of course, with the 'Access Hollywood' tape, it was difficult. But since the election, there have been a lot of us that have said — including Mr. Ryan — we'll be supportive in every way we can of this president," Kinzinger said, referring to audio that surfaced of Trump in 1995 making lewd comments about women.
"We have a lot of big things we want to do," he added.
However, Kinzinger said he would not hesitate to criticize Trump if necessary.
"At the same time, if something happens that we need to be clear and call out, we'll do that. I think there's really not been anybody that's been more loyal to, frankly, President Trump, than Speaker Ryan in terms of saying we got to work together to do some big things."
Kinzinger said that Breitbart released audio that everyone knew existed, because Ryan also made the comments publicly. "It just goes to show that sometimes these news groups think that they can be the next branch of government," the congressman said.
Breitbart's timing with posting the Ryan audio appears to be an attempt to get Trump and his allies in Congress to turn against Ryan, according to New York Magazine.
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