House Speaker Paul Ryan issued a strong rebuke of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's call to impose a ban on all Muslims entering the United States.
Ryan, speaking during a news conference Tuesday, said he does not normally comment on what takes place in the presidential race, but felt it was "incumbent upon leaders," including himself, to "stand up and defend what conservatism is" and what Republican Party principles are writ large.
"This is not conservatism. What was proposed [Monday by Trump] is not what this party stands for and more importantly, it is not what this country stands for."
Ryan, the GOP's vice presidential nominee in 2012, said that freedom of religion is both a fundamental constitutional principle and one that the United States was founded on. He also praised the many Muslims that are allies in the nation's fight against Islamic terror.
"Not only are there many Muslims serving in our armed forces dying for this country, there are Muslims serving right here in the House, working every day to uphold and defend the Constitution. Some of our best and biggest allies in this struggle and fight against radical Islamic terror are Muslims. The vast, vast, vast, vast majority of whom are peaceful, who believe in pluralism, freedom, democracy, individual rights."
Ahead of a rally in South Carolina on Monday, Trump released a statement that said, in part:
"Donald J. Trump is calling for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country's representatives can figure out what is going on." The statement continues, "Until we are able to determine and understand this problem and the dangerous threat it poses, our country cannot be the victims of horrendous attacks by people that believe only in Jihad, and have no sense of reason or respect for human life."
As we've reported, most of the other GOP presidential candidates have condemned Trump's proposal. Ryan's comments as House speaker represent the highest elected Republican to rebuff Trump, who is leading in most national polls.
Later in the news conference, Ryan was asked whether he was concerned about Trump hurting the Republican Party. He responded that he was less worried about "lasting damage" than he was about the country's "first principles" and the party's dedication to them.
Ryan was also asked if he could back Trump, should he become the party's eventual nominee.
"I'm going to support whoever the Republican nominee is and I'm going to stand up for what I believe in as I do that," Ryan said.
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