Mike Pence urged Republican leaders to "join millions of Americans and support the Republican nominee" Tuesday. | Getty Pence ‘disappointed’ with Ryan’s rebuke of Trump

Mike Pence said he was “disappointed” with House Speaker Paul Ryan’s decision to effectively abandon Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, offering some modest backup for his running mate, who has lashed out at Ryan over the past day.

“Paul Ryan is my friend but I respectfully disagree with his focus in this campaign,” he told NBC News’ Kelly O'Donnell Tuesday on a campaign swing in Iowa. “I truly do believe Republican leaders should join millions of Americans and support the Republican nominee. … Certainly we're disappointed.”


Ryan made an extraordinary announcement on a call with House Republicans Monday that he would no longer defend Trump. Instead, Ryan told GOP lawmakers he would focus all his efforts on protecting a newly endangered House GOP majority — and said he won't campaign with the controversy-plagued Republican nominee.

That’s led Trump to level harsh criticism at one of the Republican Party’s most prominent figures.

“Despite winning the second debate in a landslide (every poll), it is hard to do well when Paul Ryan and others give zero support!” Trump tweeted Tuesday. “Our very weak and ineffective leader, Paul Ryan, had a bad conference call where his members went wild at his disloyalty.”

Pence and Ryan are longtime friends and allies — Ryan introduced Pence at the Republican National Convention in July. Pence said that Ryan did let him know in advance about his decision to cut Trump loose.