
"He's just new to this," Speaker of the House Paul Ryan said about President Trump's behavior. (Photo: Getty)
To donate by check, phone, or other method, see our More Ways to Give page.
"He's just new to this," Speaker of the House Paul Ryan said about President Trump's behavior. (Photo: Getty)
As former FBI Director James Comey offered scathing testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Thursday, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) went on the record to defend President Donald Trump and argued that what the director perceived as an attempt to create a "patronage relationship" should instead be viewed as the behavior of a president who just didn't know any better.
"The president's new at this," Ryan said. "He's new to government."
\u201cPaul Ryan says you can't blame Trump for any of this because he has no idea how to be President #seriously https://t.co/yUGjSb3IEL\u201d— Judd Legum (@Judd Legum) 1496942103
Ryan was pressed by reporters if lack of experience should excuse the behaviors documented in Comey's testimony.
"I'm not saying it's an acceptable excuse," Ryan responded. "It's just my observation."
Watch:
\u201c.@SpeakerRyan: "The president's new at this, he's new to government."\u201d— CSPAN (@CSPAN) 1496939017
Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) was among the unimpressed.
\u201cJust a fun fact for @SpeakerRyan: ignorance of the law is not a defense. https://t.co/zSLNEesv3M\u201d— Rep. Nadler (@Rep. Nadler) 1496938174
\u201cHe threw people out of the room. He asked for personal loyalty. Trump knew exactly what he was doing. It\u2019s called obstruction of justice. https://t.co/mgcBv0ji0i\u201d— Tom Perez (@Tom Perez) 1496946531
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
As former FBI Director James Comey offered scathing testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Thursday, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) went on the record to defend President Donald Trump and argued that what the director perceived as an attempt to create a "patronage relationship" should instead be viewed as the behavior of a president who just didn't know any better.
"The president's new at this," Ryan said. "He's new to government."
\u201cPaul Ryan says you can't blame Trump for any of this because he has no idea how to be President #seriously https://t.co/yUGjSb3IEL\u201d— Judd Legum (@Judd Legum) 1496942103
Ryan was pressed by reporters if lack of experience should excuse the behaviors documented in Comey's testimony.
"I'm not saying it's an acceptable excuse," Ryan responded. "It's just my observation."
Watch:
\u201c.@SpeakerRyan: "The president's new at this, he's new to government."\u201d— CSPAN (@CSPAN) 1496939017
Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) was among the unimpressed.
\u201cJust a fun fact for @SpeakerRyan: ignorance of the law is not a defense. https://t.co/zSLNEesv3M\u201d— Rep. Nadler (@Rep. Nadler) 1496938174
\u201cHe threw people out of the room. He asked for personal loyalty. Trump knew exactly what he was doing. It\u2019s called obstruction of justice. https://t.co/mgcBv0ji0i\u201d— Tom Perez (@Tom Perez) 1496946531
As former FBI Director James Comey offered scathing testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Thursday, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) went on the record to defend President Donald Trump and argued that what the director perceived as an attempt to create a "patronage relationship" should instead be viewed as the behavior of a president who just didn't know any better.
"The president's new at this," Ryan said. "He's new to government."
\u201cPaul Ryan says you can't blame Trump for any of this because he has no idea how to be President #seriously https://t.co/yUGjSb3IEL\u201d— Judd Legum (@Judd Legum) 1496942103
Ryan was pressed by reporters if lack of experience should excuse the behaviors documented in Comey's testimony.
"I'm not saying it's an acceptable excuse," Ryan responded. "It's just my observation."
Watch:
\u201c.@SpeakerRyan: "The president's new at this, he's new to government."\u201d— CSPAN (@CSPAN) 1496939017
Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) was among the unimpressed.
\u201cJust a fun fact for @SpeakerRyan: ignorance of the law is not a defense. https://t.co/zSLNEesv3M\u201d— Rep. Nadler (@Rep. Nadler) 1496938174
\u201cHe threw people out of the room. He asked for personal loyalty. Trump knew exactly what he was doing. It\u2019s called obstruction of justice. https://t.co/mgcBv0ji0i\u201d— Tom Perez (@Tom Perez) 1496946531