Donald Trump Donald John TrumpOmar fires back at Trump over rally remarks: 'This is my country' Pelosi: Trump hurrying to fill SCOTUS seat so he can repeal ObamaCare Trump mocks Biden appearance, mask use ahead of first debate MORE's running mate Indiana Gov. Mike Pence Michael (Mike) Richard PenceButtigieg stands in as Pence for Harris's debate practice Trump argues full Supreme Court needed to settle potential election disputes Pence adviser knocks ex-staffer who criticized Trump on COVID-19 MORE said Tuesday that he disagrees with 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 decision to back away from Trump and is disappointed in the significant number of Republicans revoking their support.

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In an interview with NBC News' Kelly O'Donnell, Pence said that “Paul Ryan is my friend but ... I respectfully disagree with his focus in this campaign.”

"Donald Trump and I couldn't be more grateful for the support that we're receiving from people all across this country, including Republican leaders," he added.

Ryan on Monday said that he would no longer defend the GOP nominee in light of Trump's lewd remarks about women in 2005.



When asked if he felt "let down" by the wave of harsh criticism coming from dozens of top GOP lawmakers, Pence replied that he felt "disappointed."



"Well, certainly we're disappointed. Donald Trump has sought to support Republican candidates in competitive primaries all year long. We're gonna continue to. I'm gonna support all of our Republican nominees all across the country because this election is just that important," he said.



Pence pointed specifically to Sen. John McCain John Sidney McCainCindy McCain endorses Biden: He's only candidate 'who stands up for our values' Biden says Cindy McCain will endorse him Biden's six best bets in 2016 Trump states MORE (R-Ariz.), stating that it was "very disappointing that after Donald Trump supported John McCain, that John McCain has chosen to withdraw his support."



Later in the interview, Trump's running mate lauded the Republican nominee for apologizing for his obscene statements about women.

"Donald Trump showed, both Friday night and then Sunday night, the kind of humility to admit that he'd been wrong," he said. "Apologized to his family and apologized to the American people and I'm someone who believes in forgiveness, believes in second chances as the overwhelming majority of American people do."