Texas Republican Rep. Troy Nehls is having none of former House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI), who told Fox News on Tuesday that former President Donald Trump is unsuitable for another term in office.
Ryan said he believes the former president isn't loyal to upholding the Constitution.
"I voted for him in 2016, hoping that there was going to be a different kind of person in office," Ryan told host Neil Cavuto. "And I do think character is a really important issue. If you put yourself above the Constitution, as he has done, I think that makes you unfit for office."
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"But what happened?" asked Cavuto. "What turned you off? Was it the whole January 6 thing?"
"That's a part of it, I think it's a contribution of factors," said Ryan. "But I think it really is his character at the end of the day, and the fact that if you're willing to put yourself above the Constitution, an oath you swear when you take office, federal office, whether there's president or a member of Congress, you swear an oath to the Constitution. And if you're willing to suborn it to yourself, I think that makes you unfit for office."
Ryan's comments didn't sit well with Nehls, a vocal Trump supporter who last year even nominated the former president for House Speaker following Rep. Kevin McCarthy's ouster.
Manu Raju, chief congressional correspondent and anchor at CNN who hosts “Inside Politics Sunday with Manu Raju, wrote on X that Nehls told his network Tuesday: "Paul Ryan you’re a piece of garbage."
"You’re a piece of garbage and we should kick you out of the party. … Don’t go spouting your mouth off and saying that you’re a conservative. You’re spitting in the face of the leader of our party. I mean grow up a little bit," an enraged Nehls reportedly said.
Nehls's incendiary comments drew immediate backlash on social media.
"Republicans hate free speech," tweeted @ArtTherapy73.
"Get mad whenever they find out someone isn’t drinking the Koolaid," tweeted @rushgotjokes.
"He means, 'Kneel down with the rest of us," @Logically_JC wrote on X.
"I’m sure that’s really going to hurt Ryan’s fe fe’s, Troy," wrote @wdwooderson.
