WASHINGTON — House Speaker Paul D. Ryan will not campaign with Donald Trump and told House GOP lawmakers to make their own decisions on whether to support the presidential nominee.

“You all need to do what’s best for you in your district,” Ryan told Republicans, according to someone on the call granted anonymity to discuss the private session.

Ryan also reiterated that he would work to ensure Democrat Hillary Clinton does not get a “blank check” with a Democrat-controlled Congress.

Ryan stopped short of yanking his endorsement of Trump, but told members he would not defend the presidential nominee or campaign with him for the remainder of the election.

Congress is on recess but Republican leaders arranged the call to help lawmakers navigate the fallout from the tape of Trump’s sexually aggressive comments about women, including a lewd boast that he can grab them by their genitals without their consent.

Even though Republicans are not expected to lose control of the House in November barring a major upset, Ryan needs to stem GOP losses to provide a cushion as he leads a majority hampered by infighting.

According to a person on the call, Ryan will spend all his time and energy preserving the House majority, rather than campaigning with Trump.

Ryan has had a difficult time with Trump’s candidacy, first refusing to endorse the nominee him, then reluctantly coming on board despite their many differences in style and substance.