House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) says it is absurd to suggest that he aims to give Donald Trump an edge in the 2024 presidential election by killing a bipartisan border deal.

On Tuesday, CNN s Manu Raju asked the speaker about his opposition to the proposed Senate package and whether the former president had any input.

Are you simply trying to kill this to help him [Trump] out on the campaign? Raju asked .

No, Manu, thats absurd, Johnson shot back, shaking his head.

We have a responsibility here to do our duty. Our duty is to do right by the American people, to protect the people, he went on. The first and most important job of the federal government is to protect its citizens. Were not doing that under President [Joe] Biden .