House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) joined the growing list of Republican leaders Tuesday calling for Judge Roy Moore to drop out of the Alabama senate race after a Washington Post report last week detailed accusations against Moore of sexual misconduct and assault against minors, one of whom alleges the conduct occurred when she was just 14.
"He should step aside," Ryan said during a news conference. "Number one, these allegations are credible. Number two, if he cares about the values that he claims to care about, then he should step aside."
Moore strongly denied the Post’s accusations at a campaign rally in Huntsville Sunday but his response was less clear when he was asked about it by Fox’s Sean Hannity Friday.
When asked if he remembers dating teenage women when he was older than 30, Moore responded, "Not generally, no."
"I don't remember dating any girl without the permission of her mother," he also told Hannity Friday.
Another woman came forward Monday accusing Moore of sexual assault when she was 16 and worked at a restaurant she claims Moore frequented.
"I can tell you without hesitation this is absolutely false," Moore said Monday in response to the allegations. "I never did what she said I did. I don't even know the woman."
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said he believes the women who have accused Moore and has called on him to step aside.
Moore fired back that McConnell should be the one to step aside. He is blaming the accusations on a smear campaign orchestrated by establishment Republicans and Democrats and has threatened to sue The Washington Post.