The Hill
By Cristina Marcos
August 23, 2017
House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) pushed back on Wednesday against President Trump’s most recent attacks on GOP senators, saying that he thinks the party should try to stay unified as they work on their legislative agenda.
Ryan was speaking at a press conference held at an Intel facility in Oregon as part of an effort during the August recess to promote Republicans’ efforts to reform the tax code. Asked about Trump’s recent broadsides against Arizona Republican Sens. Jeff Flake and John McCain, the Speaker said he believes Trump views the attacks as politically beneficial.
“I think the president feels that’s a strategy that works for him,” Ryan said. “I would just say that I think it’s important that we all stay unified as Republicans to complete our agenda.”
While Ryan defended Flake and McCain, he stopped short of urging Trump to stop attacking them or other GOP lawmakers.
“Those two gentlemen are people I respect, know, like and are friends with. We disagree on certain issues. I can think of a couple with those gentlemen. But nevertheless, we have a very good working relationship,” Ryan said.
McCain and Flake have both been vocal critics of Trump. Flake, one of the most vulnerable GOP senators up for reelection next year, has authored a new book called “Conscience of a Conservative” that offers a scathing criticism of Trump.
Trump has responded in kind by praising Arizona state Sen. Kelli Ward, who’s launching a primary challenge against Flake. He also issued a tweet last week calling Flake “WEAK on borders, crime and a non-factor in Senate. He’s toxic!”
McCain, meanwhile, helped sink the GOP bill that would have partially repealed and replaced ObamaCare. Senate Republicans could only have only lost two members and still passed the legislation on their own, even with a tie-breaking vote from Vice President Pence.
During a campaign rally in Phoenix on Tuesday night, Trump avoided naming Flake or McCain but left little doubt as to whom he was criticizing.
“One vote, speak to your senator, please, speak to your senator,” Trump said.
Then he added: “Nobody wants me to talk about your other senator, who is weak on borders, weak on crime, so I won’t talk about him. Nobody wants me to talk about him. Nobody knows who the hell he is. And now see, I haven’t mentioned any names. So now, everybody’s happy.”
Trump went after Flake again on Twitter Wednesday morning, writing, “I love the Great State of Arizona. Not a fan of Jeff Flake, weak on crime & border!”
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