A leading US pro-life group criticizes Trump’s ‘very disappointing’ abortion announcement and insists there must be ‘national protection’ for ‘unborn children and mothers’
Pro-life advocates are outraged after former President Donald Trump announced he will not support a national abortion ban, saying limits on abortion should be left up to individual states.
After the historic Roe v. Wade decision was handed down in June 2022, states were allowed to decide the way forward on this controversial issue.
The 77-year-old also posted a four-and-a-half-minute video on Monday in which he did not specify a time frame in which he would or would not support abortion.
He further said that he believes in exceptions to the right to terminate a pregnancy in cases of rape or incest and to save the life of the mother.
His announcement has received a frosty reception from leading pro-life advocates.
Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the pro-life group Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America (SBA), said she was “deeply disappointed” by the announcement because it “leaves the national debate to Democrats.”
Following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, demonstrators across the US took to the streets to protest the reversal. The politically charged issue is widely seen as a weakness for Republicans, as access to abortion is generally supported by Americans
“We are deeply disappointed in President Trump’s position,” Dannenfelser said in a statement.
“Unborn children and their mothers deserve national protection and national advocacy against the brutality of the abortion industry.”
“The Dobbs decision clearly gives both states and Congress the ability to act.”
“Saying that the issue is ‘back to the states’ leaves the national debate to Democrats, who are working relentlessly to pass legislation mandating abortion during all nine months of pregnancy. If they succeed, they will wipe out states’ rights.”
“With lives at stake, SBA Pro-Life America and the pro-life base will work tirelessly to defeat President Biden and the extreme congressional Democrats.”
Trump’s populist policy stance signals how the former president has split from the more conservative ranks of his own party, which has been largely receptive to sweeping abortion bans.
Kristan Hawkins, president of the pro-life group Students for Life Action, also released a statement Monday about Trump’s comments, saying, “We clearly have some work to do to educate the Trump administration” about the “many ways abortion has been federalized.” ‘
“But with shared goals of supporting families and welcoming young children, we can work together to restore the culture of life that has been taken away by the national Democratic Party and their leadership.”
“Fighting this kind of abortion extremism is a reason to vote for Donald Trump,” Hawkins continued.
Trump has previously credited himself with “being able to end Roe v. Wade after 50 years of trying” with the appointment of three Supreme Court justices.
“Donald Trump was the most pro-life president in American history, and we are grateful for all he did as president to promote a culture of life,” the Faith and Freedom Coalition, another pro-life group, said in a statement on Monday.
“He kept his promise to appoint conservative federal judges, giving us an opportunity after a half-century of fighting to protect the unborn. We appreciate his statement reaffirming his pro-life beliefs.”
“We will continue to work to pass legislation at the state and federal levels to protect as many unborn children as we can, and 24 states have already passed laws to do so.”
The group notably did not criticize Trump’s abortion comments on Monday, instead highlighting the former president’s work and how the coalition will continue to advocate for anti-abortion policies.
Demonstrators hold signs and cheer in protest outside the U.S. Supreme Court following the overturn of Roe v. Wade
Senator Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., (right) speaks during a press conference to announce a new bill on abortion restrictions, along with President of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America Marjorie Dannenfelser (left)
Trump’s stance will certainly appeal to moderate Republicans and Democrats who see both sides of their party as too extreme, vacillating from hardline conservatives who support a total abortion ban to progressives who support abortion without restrictions.
“At the end of the day, it’s all about the will of the people,” Trump said in the video. ‘You have to follow your heart, or in many cases your religion or belief.’
“Do what’s right for your family and do what’s right for yourself. Do what’s right for your kids, do what’s right for our country and vote.”
Summarizing his position, Trump made it clear that his position of giving states the power to decide is one with political implications that could very well decide the election.
“You have to follow your heart on this issue, but remember that you also have to win elections to restore our culture,” he said.
But winning elections at the expense of allowing abortion in more liberal states is apparently not a popular choice among Republicans.
“President Trump’s retreat on the right to life issue is a slap in the face to the millions of pro-life Americans who voted for him in 2016 and 2020,” wrote former Vice President Mike Pence, who served among the former served as president on X.
“No matter how much our Republican candidate or other candidates try to marginalize the cause of life, I know that pro-life Americans will never relent until we see the sanctity of life restored to the center of justice in every state of this country.” American law.”
Trump said Monday that he believes in exceptions to the right to terminate a pregnancy in cases of rape, incest and to save the life of the mother.
Senator Lindsey Graham also slammed Trump’s position in a statement on Monday.
“I respectfully disagree with President Trump’s statement that abortion is a states’ rights issue,” he said.
“Dobbs does not legally require that conclusion, and the pro-life movement has always been about the welfare of the unborn child – not about geography.”
“The current states’ rights rationale conflicts with the American consensus that would limit late-life abortions and become about the same age as the Dred Scott decision. The science is clear: a fifteen-week-old child is well developed and can feel pain.’
“I will continue to advocate for a national minimum standard that limits abortion after 15 weeks because the child is capable of feeling pain, with exceptions for rape, incest and the life of the mother,” Graham said.
However, another Republican from the South Carolina delegation expressed support for Trump’s abortion plan.
“The Republican Party cannot ignore the issue of abortion,” Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., wrote on X.
“That’s why I support President Trump in his position not to pass a federal abortion ban today, affirming that the issue should be left to the states and power returned to the people.”
President Biden released a statement on Trump’s comments on Monday.
President Biden on Monday ridiculed Trump over his abortion announcement, saying the former president ‘has no idea about the power of women in America’
“Donald Trump made it clear again today that he – more than anyone else in America – is the person responsible for ending Roe v. Wade,” Biden said in a statement.
“He is responsible – more than anyone else in America – for creating the brutality and chaos that has enveloped America since the Dobbs decision.”
“Trump once said women should be punished for seeking reproductive health care – and he got his wish.”
The offices of Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell did not respond to a request for comment.