But unity proved easier for Mr. Ryan when Republicans had a common Democratic foe, President Barack Obama, in the White House. Under Mr. Trump, Mr. Ryan has a harder task: proving that he and his fellow Republicans can govern while not always having a reliable partner in the executive branch. On Twitter, he called it “ridiculous and disgraceful.”But on Wednesday, at a White House meeting with House and Senate leaders of both parties, Mr. Trump wrapped his arms around the Democrats’ idea, sidelining Mr. Ryan and Mr. McConnell. Mr. Ryan said little, according to people who were in the room, stepping aside while the White House took the heat. At least one Trump supporter — Representative Lee Zeldin of New York — defended Mr. Ryan.

Source: New York Times September 10, 2017 17:48 UTC