Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan condemned Donald Trump's proposal to bar foreign Muslims from entering the country, saying the plan doesn't reflect what the Republican party or the country stands for. Speaking to reporters after a closed-door GOP caucus meeting this morning, Ryan addressed Trump's remarks without mentioning him by name, according to the Associated Press.
"Normally, I do not comment on what's going on in the presidential election. I will take an exception today," said Ryan.
"This is not conservatism. What was proposed yesterday is not what this party stands for. And, more importantly, it's not what this country stands for," said Ryan during a news conference on Capitol Hill, according to ABC News. "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 to 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 majority of whom are peaceful, who believe in pluralism, freedom, democracy, individual rights," added Ryan.
Ryan went on to note that Trump's proposal would violate at least two constitutional amendments, reported the Hill. The first being the First Amendment, which protects the freedom of religion, and the second being the 14th Amendment, which guarantees citizenship to "all persons born or naturalized in the United States."
Despite blasting Trump, Ryan told reporters he would support his party's nominee for president, regardless of who that will be.
"And I'm going to stand up for what I believe in as I do that," he added.
