House Speaker Paul Ryan
Paul RyanSpeaker Ryan to Russia: Stay out of election Clinton campaign: Trump's Russia remarks 'a bridge too far' Have Republicans hit rock bottom on voting rights yet? 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. 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.
The strong language was notable given comments from GOP presidential nominee
Donald Trump
Donald TrumpKhloe Kardashian: Trump would not be a good president Former CIA director questions Trump's loyalty to US: report Clinton camp laughs off questions about press conference blackout MORE earlier in which he said he hoped Russia had presumptive Democratic nominee
Hillary Clinton
Hillary Rodham ClintonFormer CIA director questions Trump's loyalty to US: report Clinton camp laughs off questions about press conference blackout George W. Bush's brother supports Libertarian nominee MORE’s emails from her use of a private email server.
“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.
On Friday, days before the Democratic convention, emails released by Wikileaks showed DNC aides appearing to help Hillary Clinton and hurt rival Bernie Sanders
Bernie SandersMcAuliffe: Clinton won't move TPP without changes Speaker Ryan to Russia: Stay out of election Poll: Trump, Clinton more disliked by millennials than Voldemort 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.