House Speaker Paul Ryan on Tuesday defended President Donald Trump’s divisive executive order on refugees and immigration, arguing that while the rollout was bumpy, the policy is consistent with Republican principles.
“The president has a responsibility to the security of this country,” Ryan told reporters.
Even though GOP congressional leadership was frozen out of the drafting of the order, Ryan told rank-and-file Republicans that he backed the decision to stop the U.S. refugee program and ban all entries from seven Muslim-majority nations for 90 days.
The action triggered angry protests at airports across the country.
In the aftermath, Ryan told the GOP that the “rollout was a little bumpy, been a few potholes in the road but the actual policy he agreed with,” Rep. Phil Roe, R-Tenn., said.
The speaker did warn lawmakers to expect protests in their districts and possible backlash.
Rep. Dennis Ross, R-Fla., said Ryan stressed that the order is similar to legislation Republicans have backed in the past.
“We’re looking at eight years of a legacy that we’re essentially undoing,” Ross said.
Said Rep. Chris Collins, R-N.Y.: “The speaker was very out in front today reminding our conference this is something we should be embracing.”
The Associated Press contributed to this article