House Speaker Paul Ryan Paul Davis RyanKenosha will be a good bellwether in 2020 At indoor rally, Pence says election runs through Wisconsin Juan Williams: Breaking down the debates MORE’s (R-Wis.) office issued a tough statement on Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday that warmed him to stay out of the U.S. presidential election.

“Russia is a global menace led by a devious thug. Putin should stay out of this election," Ryan's spokesman Brendan Buck said in the statement.

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The strong language was notable following earlier comments from GOP nominee Donald Trump Donald John TrumpBiden leads Trump by 36 points nationally among Latinos: poll Trump dismisses climate change role in fires, says Newsom needs to manage forest better Jimmy Kimmel hits Trump for rallies while hosting Emmy Awards MORE in which he said he hoped Russia had stolen emails from the private server that Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton Hillary Diane Rodham ClintonBiden leads Trump by 36 points nationally among Latinos: poll Democratic super PAC to hit Trump in battleground states over coronavirus deaths Battle lines drawn on precedent in Supreme Court fight MORE used during her time as secretary of State. Clinton deleted more than 30,000 messages that she said were personal before turning over the rest for government archiving.

“If they hacked, they probably have her 33,000 emails. I hope they do,” Trump told reporters on Wednesday at a press conference at his Miami-area hotel. “They probably have her 33,000 emails that she lost and deleted. You'd see some beauties, so we'll see.”

Russia is believed to be behind the hacking of the Democratic National Committee (DNC).

On Friday, days before the Democratic National Convention began, emails released by Wikileaks showed DNC aides appearing to help Hillary Clinton and hurt rival Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersNYT editorial board remembers Ginsburg: She 'will forever have two legacies' Two GOP governors urge Republicans to hold off on Supreme Court nominee Sanders knocks McConnell: He's going against Ginsburg's 'dying wishes' MORE in the Democratic primary.

“Russia, if you are listening, I hope you are able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing. I think you will probably be rewarded mightily by the press,” Trump said Wednesday.