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Ryan Whistles Past Trump’s Shutdown Rhetoric

Speaker says he has an understanding with Trump about funding the government that ‘will stick’

Speaker Paul D. Ryan, R-Wis., says he is confident his understanding with President Donald Trump about keeping government funded ‘will stick.’ (Photo By Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call file photo)
Speaker Paul D. Ryan, R-Wis., says he is confident his understanding with President Donald Trump about keeping government funded ‘will stick.’ (Photo By Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call file photo)

Speaker Paul D. Ryan said he isn’t worried about President Donald Trump’s public threats or inclinations toward shutting down the government in an effort to secure funding for his border wall.

“We have a very good agreement and understanding that we’re going to get our government funded,” the Wisconsin Republican said during his weekly news conference Thursday.

Ryan countered the issue of Trump’s earlier fiscal 2018 omnibus veto threat by saying it ultimately never materialized — even against Trump’s constant rhetoric and apparent willingness to provoke a shutdown.

The speaker smirked. He agreed that Trump’s public threats are just how the president operates.

“We have a good understanding,” Ryan said about his agreement with Trump to avert a government shutdown. “I’m confident our understanding will stick.”

Ryan hasn’t often stood up to the president’s rhetoric and didn’t seem inclined to increase that tendency Thursday.

“I know the president is very unconventional,” Ryan said. “I know his tweeting and unconventional tactics bother people. But the results of government are good results.”

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