Paul Ryan's Primary Opponent Asks 'Why Do We Have Muslims in the Country?'

— -- House Speaker Paul Ryan's primary opponent, who has gotten support from Donald Trump, suggested Monday that the United States have a "discussion" about deporting all Muslims from the United States.

"The question is, why do we have Muslims in the country?" conservative businessman Paul Nehlen said in a Monday radio interview with Chicago's AM 560 "The Answer."

Nehlen said that Muslims who believe in Sharia law are in "direct conflict" with the U.S. Constitution.

"If someone is supporting Sharia, that is doing something wrong," he said.

"Are you suggesting that we deport all of the Muslims in this country?" asked radio host Dan Proft.

"I'm suggesting we have a discussion about it, that's for sure," Nehlen replied.

Referencing Newt Gingrich's call for a religious test on all Muslims after the terror attacks on Nice, Nehlen also called for law enforcement to monitor "every mosque" in the United States.

Nehlen, who has attracted the support of Sarah Palin and Ann Coulter, has endorsed Trump's presidential campaign, and has similarly focused his campaign on trade and immigration.

Trump, who declined to back Ryan's reelection run in an interview with the Washington Post, thanked Nehlen for his support on Twitter, and told the Post Nehlen has run a "very good campaign."

A spokesman for Ryan said the Wisconsin Republican never sought Trump's endorsement.

"The only endorsements that I want are those of my own employers here in the first congressional district, and that's really what my focus is," Ryan said in a radio interview Thursday.

Ryan, who accused Nehlen of misrepresenting and lying about his record in Congress, is expected to win his primary race next week.