Ryan says Trump to lead ‘unified’ GOP government

Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) on Wednesday morning assured Americans that there will be a unified Republican government going forward following Donald Trump’s stunning presidential victory.

Speaking from his hometown of Janesville, Wis., Ryan said he has spoken with the president-elect twice since his win, and described a positive, working relationship.

{mosads}”Last night and again this morning I spoke with President-elect Donald Trump,” Ryan said. “We talked about the work ahead of us and importance of bringing this country together.

“I think our relationship is fine. I think we’re going to hit the ground running. We’ve already talked about getting our transitions working together.”

Ryan, who at times has voiced public differences with Trump, called it the “most incredible political feat I’ve seen in my lifetime.”

Ryan said Trump was able to reach out to people nationwide and hear voices “no one else heard.”

“Donald Trump heard a voice out in this country that no one else heard. He connected in ways with people that no one else did,” Ryan said. “Donald Trump will lead a unified Republican government.”

Trump and his supporters at time have trained their fire on Ryan. 

Earlier this month, Trump told Fox News’s Bill O’Reilly that Ryan might have to find a different position in Congress if Trump got elected. 

And on Election Day, Fox’s Sean Hannity, an ally of Trump, said that Ryan should not be Speaker. 

Ryan distanced himself from Trump after a 2005 video emerged of the president-elect speaking lewdly about groping women. 

But in recent days, he campaigned with Vice President-elect Mike Pence and wrote an op-ed backing Trump’s campaign. He also appeared in a video with the op-ed calling for voters to back Trump. 

Ryan urged Americans to come together after a “messy” presidential campaign and praised Trump for striking a tone of unity during his victory speech early Wednesday morning.

This story was updated at 12:30 p.m.