Speaker of the House Paul Ryan said Tuesday it was clear that Russia interfered with the 2016 presidential elections, taking a different stance than President Donald Trump, who refused to acknowledge Russian interference at a press conference Monday.
“Vladimir Putin does not share our interests. Vladimir Putin does not share our values. We just conducted a year-long investigation into Russia elections. They did interfere in our elections. It’s really clear,” Ryan told reporters Tuesday morning. “There should be no doubt about that. It’s clear that it didn’t have a material effect on our elections.”
Trump is taking a lot of heat from members of both parties for refusing to acknowledge that Russian agents attempted to interfere with the 2016 presidential election. Trump was expected to take a hard-line against Putin and address election interference and other topics, like the Russian annexation of Crimea, during the press conference. (RELATED: Trump Talks Putin Election Meddling)
“Russia did meddle with our elections. Not only did Russia meddle in our elections, they’re doing it around the world. Rhey did it to France, they’re doing it to the Baltics. Russia is trying to undermine democracy itself to de delegitimize democracy,” Ryan told reporters Tuesday.
The speaker reiterated a few times that Russia interfered with the presidential elections. He also tried to make it clear that both the House and Senate have taken steps to hold Russia accountable, like imposing sanctions.
Republicans in both chambers put out statements of condemnation Monday following the press conference, calling out the president for looking weak and throwing their support behind special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. (RELATED: Republicans Are Outraged Over Putin Press Conference)
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