Paul Ryan Won't Defend Trump. But He Also Won't Unendorse Him.

On top of that, the Trump tarnish becomes more difficult to avoid as more members unendorse Trump. The question of why you, as a Congressman, find Trump to be acceptable becomes more pointed the more Republicans withdraw their support.

That question is particularly difficult for Ryan. The speaker has struggled with his Trump endorsement from the very beginning, first by withholding it, then by offering it while continuing to criticize Trump . More to the point, Trump has made it difficult for Republicans like Ryan to support him, as he has called immigrants rapists , proposed banning Muslim immigrants  and  among so many other outrages   said a judge couldn’t be fair because he was of Mexican heritage.

That last offense, involving federal Judge Gonzalo Curiel, became a flashpoint between Trump and Ryan when the speaker described the GOP nominee’s positions as “sort of like the textbook definition of a racist comment .”

Discussion was spirited during the call, according to sources, as some pro-Trump members spoke up in support of the nominee. Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif.) said he would gladly sacrifice his congressional seat if it meant preventing a Hillary Clinton presidency, and Rep. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.) dismissed Trump’s comments as “locker room talk” that paled in comparison to the importance of a Republican nominating a Supreme Court justice.

Republicans also used the call to update members on the state of House races.

National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Greg Walden (R-Ore.) talked about how the environment for Republicans has been changing rapidly. Walden previously touted the ability of House Republicans to avoid down-ballot troubles, but said the situation has gotten worse for Republicans since the first debate and that things would change after Friday’s comments.

Walden advised members to do polling in their district to understand what voters are thinking, and he pressed Republicans to give any extra money they have to the NRCC.

Ryan’s advice that Republicans should do what they need to is also a recognition of the state of House races. Without evidence yet of the polling impact, Republicans seem to think they’re in a rapidly deteriorating position with voters, and that dumping Trump could be the only course ahead for some members either because they’re concerned about re-election or their sense of responsibility.

This article has been updated throughout.