President Obama said Thursday that he believes House Speaker John Boehner's (R-Ohio) unwillingness to raise taxes on the nation's top earners is motivated by a desire to remain in good graces with House Republicans.

In an interview with Minnesota CBS affiliate WCCO, Obama was asked if "trust" has been an issue while negotiating with Boehner.

"You know, my sense is, it’s less an issue of trust and this has more to do with politics," Obama said. "I think the idea of not raising taxes has become sort of a religion for a lot of members of the Republican Party. I think Speaker Boehner has a contentious caucus, as his caucus is tough on him sometimes so he doesn’t want to look like he’s giving in to me somehow because that might hurt him in his own caucus."