House Speaker Paul Ryan said Wednesday that Donald Trump's victory was the "most incredible feat" he had ever seen, and he credited the president-elect with helping Republicans maintain control of Congress.
"Donald Trump provided the kind of coattails that got a lot of people over the finish line so that we could maintain our strong House and Senate majorities," Ryan said at a news conference in Janesville, Wisconsin.
Ryan said, however, that "there is no doubt our democracy can be very messy, and we do remain a sharply divided country." Ryan also said he spoke to both Trump and Vice President-elect Mike Pence twice in the past day. The House speaker said that he had "great conversations" with the president-elect about how they will work together.
"But now, as we do every four years, we have to work together to heal the divisions of a long campaign," Ryan said, adding that he thinks Trump set the "perfect tone" in his victory speech early Wednesday.
"Now it's time for America to bind the wounds of division — have to get together," Trump said. "To all Republicans and Democrats and independents across this nation, I say it is time for us to come together as one united people."
Trump, who had been criticized by opponents for rhetoric characterized as divisive and racist, pledged, "I will be president for all Americans, and this is so important to me."
Ryan said more needs to be done to restore faith in institutions for Americans who feel alienated by the government.
"Donald Trump heard a voice out in this country that no one else heard. He connected in ways with people no one else did. He turned politics on its head and now Donald Trump will lead a unified Republican government and we will work hand in hand on a positive agenda to tackle this country's big challenges," Ryan said.
— CNBC's Everett Rosenfeld contributed to this report.