President Donald Trump is "employing a strategy he thinks is effective for him" in attacking Sens. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., and John McCain, R-Ariz., House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., said Wednesday at a news conference at an Intel Corp. facility in Hillsboro, Ore.
"I think the president feels that's a strategy that works for him," Ryan said. "I would just say that I think it's important that we all stay unified as Republicans to complete our agenda."
Flake has drawn Trump's ire for critical comments he made about the president in his recently published book, "Conscience of a Conservative." McCain helped sink the GOP healthcare bill with his no vote and Trump on Tuesday night at his Phoenix rally criticized him without naming him.
"One vote, speak to your senator, please, speak to your senator," Trump said.
Then he added: "Nobody wants me to talk about your other senator, who is weak on borders, weak on crime, so I won't talk about him," an obvious reference to Flake. "Nobody wants me to talk about him. Nobody knows who the hell he is. And now see, I haven't mentioned any names. So, now, everybody's happy."
Ryan said Flake and McCain are "two gentlemen" he respects, likes, and is friends with.
"We disagree on certain issues," Ryan added. "I can think of a couple with those gentlemen. But nevertheless, we have a very good working relationship."
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