In an interview on MSNBC's 'Morning Joe' on Wednesday, House Speaker Paul Ryan reiterated for some that it is essentially the only job of an incoming national security adviser to talk to ambassadors and officials from other countries. There is a chorus of pundits, comedians, and hosts acting like it was illegal for Lt. Gen. Mike Flynn to speak to an ambassador from Russia before President Trump's inauguration.



"With respect to Michael Flynn talking to other governments during the transition: That's his job. That's what he is supposed to be doing. It is entirely appropriate, it is actually the job description, to talk to other nations, to ambassadors, to start beginning relationships. That is very much appropriate," Ryan said.



He added: "But I think the story here is that he lost the trust of the president, and as I understand it, he was not candid or honest with his superior [VP Mike Pence]. That is ground for dismissal as far as I am concerned."