Rep. Nehls Calls Paul Ryan a ‘Piece of Garbage’ for Snubbing Trump

Republican allies of Donald Trump were angered by former House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., when he stated that the former president was unfit for office, with one calling him a “piece of garbage.”

Ryan, who was the 2012 GOP vice presidential candidate and chose not to seek reelection to Congress in 2018, made remarks in a recent interview, as reported by The Hill, citing the events of Jan. 6, 2021, at the U.S. Capitol as a reason why he will not vote for Trump in November. Ryan also clarified that he will not be voting for President Joe Biden either.

“I think it really just comes down to character in the end,” stated Ryan, who serves on the board of Fox Corp., the parent company of Fox News. “And the fact that if you’re willing to prioritize yourself over the Constitution — an oath you take when entering federal office, whether as president or a member of Congress, where you swear an oath to the Constitution — and if you’re willing to undermine it for your own interests, I believe that makes you unfit for office.”

These comments led to criticism from Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Texas, a member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus and a Trump supporter.

“Paul Ryan, you’re a piece of garbage. You’re a piece of garbage,” Nehls stated, as reported in a transcript aired on “CNN This Morning.” “And we should kick you out of the party. For Paul Ryan to say he’s not voting for Donald Trump, that’s the problem with some of our Republicans. It’s guys like that.

“Don’t go around talking and saying you’re a conservative. You’re disrespecting the leader of our party, Donald Trump. I mean, mature a bit.”

Newsmax contacted Ryan for a response. When asked last month to react to Trump calling him a RINO (Republican in name only) and a loser in a Truth Social post, Ryan mentioned that RINO now refers to someone who does not show loyalty to Trump.

“Fealty to Trump is what RINO refers to, meaning if you don’t show loyalty to this man, then you’re a RINO,” Ryan explained. “It used to distinguish between a liberal Republican and a conservative.

“I’m a conservative Republican. He’s a populist. He’s not a conservative. I want to see someone who upholds principles. I’d prefer a party that is grounded in principles, not personality or populism.”