Paul Ryan Offers Terse Response To Trump’s Startling NATO Comments

Speaker Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, pauses as he waits for the recount of Alaska's votes during the second day session of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Tuesday, July 19, 2016. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
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House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) had little to say in response to Donald Trump’s comments about defending the United States’ NATO allies.

Trump was hesitant to commit to a defense of NATO allies hypothetically invaded by Russia in an interview with the New York Times, saying it would depend on whether Baltic states had “fulfilled their obligations to us.”

Ryan — no stranger to cleaning up after the GOP nominee — responded tersely.

“The speaker believes the U.S. should defend our NATO allies,” Ryan spokeswoman Ashlee Strong told The Washington Post in an email.

Ryan joined the list of Republicans who have rebuffed Trump’s comments, which includes Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and John Bolton, former ambassador to the United Nations under President George W. Bush.

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Notable Replies

  1. Avatar for zsak zsak says:

    Buyer’s remorse yet? Still expect a pivot?

  2. I bet his real reply was even terser. Something like, “Oh, shit!”

  3. Avatar for meri meri says:

    “But I’m still voting for him!”

  4. Trump is your party leader Ryan, better fall in line.

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