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Ryan may have to watch his back after distancing from Trump

FILE - In this May 12, 2016, file photo, House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wis. speaks with reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, following his meeting with Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump. The escalating clash between Ryan and Trump is prompting warnings of retaliation against the speaker from rank-and-file House Republicans. That means Ryan could face a rebellion like the one that drove former Speaker John Boehner into retirement and that may test Ryan’s hold on his own job. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen, File) FILE - In this May 12, 2016, file photo, House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wis. speaks with reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, following his meeting with Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump. The escalating clash between Ryan and Trump is prompting warnings of retaliation against the speaker from rank-and-file House Republicans. That means Ryan could face a rebellion like the one that drove former Speaker John Boehner into retirement and that may test Ryan’s hold on his own job. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen, File)

By Associated Press October 12, 2016 1 min read

WASHINGTON (AP) – The escalating clash between Paul Ryan and Donald Trump is prompting warnings of retaliation against the speaker from rank-and-file House Republicans.

That means the Wisconsin Republican could face a rebellion like the one that drove former Speaker John Boehner into retirement, testing Ryan’s hold on his own job.

Ryan told GOP lawmakers this week that he won’t defend his party’s presidential candidate or campaign with him and urged them to do whatever it takes to win re-election.

His statement followed the release of a 2005 video showing Trump making vulgar comments about how he sexually pursued women.

Republican congressman Jim Bridenstine of Oklahoma tweeted Wednesday, “Given the stakes of this election, if Paul Ryan isn’t for Trump, then I’m not for Paul Ryan.”