Ryan Defends Trump’s Attacks On Judge: ‘He’s Respecting The Process’

House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wis. meets with reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2017, following GOP strategy session at the Republican National Committee offices. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
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Asked on Tuesday about President Donald Trump’s attacks on the “so-called judge” who blocked his immigration executive order nationwide, House Speaker Paul Ryan defended the President.

Despite the insults, Trump was respecting the appeals process, Ryan said at his weekly press conference.

“We respect an independent judiciary. This is a separate branch of government,” Ryan said. “He’s not the first President to get frustrated with a ruling from a court.”

“I think what’s most important are the actions,” he continued. “This administration is honoring the ruling, and this administration is going through the proper procedures to deal with the ruling to try and get the ruling overturned. They’re going through the appeals process, they’re respecting the separation of powers in the process. Look, I know he’s an unconventional President. He gets frustrated with judges, we get frustrated with judges. But he’s respecting the process, and that’s what counts at the end of the day.”

Trump lobbed multiple attacks on his Twitter account at U.S. District Judge James Robart after the judge blocked Trump’s immigration order. And White House press secretary Sean Spicer said Monday that Robart had gone “rogue” in stopping the order.

State and federal lawyers are set to argue in Robart’s court Tuesday over the legality of Trump’s order.

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