While some Republicans have shown support for former President Donald Trump as he faces off 37 felony offenses related to his handling of classified documents, former House Speaker Paul Ryan believes Trump’s impeachment is an important matter that goes beyond politics.
Drawing on his own experience as Speaker of the House, Ryan pushed Republicans like Florida Sen. Marco Rubiowho said Monday that the indictment is “political in nature.”
Ryan noted that the indictment is related to national security issues.
“I myself had the same documents as the Speaker of the House,” Ryan said. “So I think this goes beyond something petty.”
Ryan added that he is “not a Trump fan” and said that when it comes to the 2024 presidential race, “we want a candidate who is not burdened with so much baggage to win this election.”
“I want to win,” he said. “And if we nominate Trump, we will lose.”
Ryan questioned Trump’s appeal to suburban voters and his ability to secure swing states like Wisconsin, which he lost in the 2020 race. Ryan also said events like the Jan. 6 Capitol riot could dissuade swing voters from supporting the former president.
“I think the eligibility argument is going to be more prominent with this impeachment and whatever happens going forward. The whole exhaustion of Trump’s entire baggage will make it easier now, I think, to make the argument to his core supporters: It’s not eligible, it’s going to cost us the Senate again, it’s going to cost us more seats in the House,” Ryan said.
He said candidates for the Republican presidential nomination such as Nikki Haley, Tim Scott, Ron DeSantis, Mike Pence and Chris Christie are “very viable people.”
“And I honestly think any of them could beat Joe Biden if he becomes the nominee,” Ryan said.
As for campaign strategy, Ryan pointed to Christie’s direct attacks on Trump, saying, “I don’t think you can get this nomination without going through Donald Trump. I don’t think you can do it around him. You have to go through him to get the nomination. Chris is unique in his style, but I think others are going to start making that kind of push.”
