In an interview Monday, Montana’s lone Congressman reaffirmed his support for Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, while acknowledging that both of the major candidates in the race are “fundamentally flawed.”

“There’s a sense of anger, there’s a sense that our government has become detached and too far away from people,” Rep. Ryan Zinke said in meeting with the Daily Inter Lake’s editorial board. He added later, “You can’t defend Trump. He’s un-defendable, ... not that that makes Hillary [Clinton] a better candidate.”

Zinke has been the target of steady criticism from the Montana Democratic Party for his continued support of Trump, despite the release earlier this month of a recording in which the Republican nominee is heard boasting of sexual assault. The disclosure has since led dozens of Republican lawmakers throughout the country to rescind their endorsements of Trump.

The Congressman’s stance appears to have had little impact on his standing in the race against Democrat Denise Juneau, Montana’s current Superintendent of Public Instruction.

A poll commissioned earlier this month by Lee Montana Newspapers found him ahead of Juneau 53 percent to 40 percent. The same survey found Trump with a 10-point lead over Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, among Montana voters.

Zinke, a former Navy SEAL and member of the House Armed Services Committee, said he will continue to focus on national security if reelected.

He said he’s frustrated with the Obama administration’s approach to the ongoing conflict in Iraq and Syria.

“Before you start military operations of this consequence, you need to have a path forward,” Zinke said. Noting the potential fallout from operations in Mosul, Iraq’s second-largest city, he added that “the consequence of the last policy was 3.5 million people leaving Syria.”

He criticized the federal government’s current system for vetting refugees, and pointed to his sponsorship of the SAFE Act to reform the vetting process.

However, he added, “The U.S. should be a safe haven for refugees.”

Zinke also highlighted his concern with Russia’s growing influence, particularly in the Middle East. Despite Trump’s comments on the campaign trail, criticizing Clinton’s “tough” rhetoric on Russia and indicating his willingness to work more closely with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Zinke said he has faith in his party’s nominee to surround himself with good policy advisors.

Zinke also indicated an interest in focusing more on health-care policy. While he continues to oppose the Affordable Care Act, he said some policies within Obamacare could continue.

“I’m an advocate for repeal-replace, but you have to have a replacement before you repeal,” he said.

Reporter Sam Wilson can be reached at 758-4407 or by email at swilson@dailyinterlake.com.