Ryan congratulates Trump on ‘incredible victory’

Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) called Donald Trump to congratulate him and running mate Mike Pence early Wednesday morning after Trump won a shocking victory in the presidential election.

{mosads}”I want to congratulate Donald Trump on his incredible victory,” Ryan said in a statement. “It marks a repudiation of the status quo of failed liberal progressive policies.”

“We are eager to work hand-in-hand with the new administration to advance an agenda to improve the lives of the American people. This has been a great night for our party, and now we must turn our focus to bringing the country together.”

Trump was elected the 45th president of the United States, shocking the political world in the one of the most unpredictable presidential races in modern history.

The real estate mogul delivered a victory speech shortly after the race was called and struck a unifying tone. Trump said Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton called to concede and congratulate him, and he thanked the former secretary of State, saying the country owes Clinton “a major debt for her service to our country.” 

Ryan spoke on Tuesday night in his home state, saying that “this could be a really good night for America.” Republicans have retained both their majorities in the Senate and the House.

The call on Wednesday morning caps off a tumultuous relationship between Ryan and Trump. The Wisconsin Republican effectively wrote him off after a 2005 tape revealed Trump bragging about groping and kissing women without consent and instead vowed to focus on preserving GOP majorities in Congress.

But in the closing days of the race, the Speaker urged voters nationwide to back Trump.

On Tuesday evening, Fox News host Sean Hannity said Ryan would not be Speaker if Trump became president.