On Monday, former President Donald Trump released a statement regarding his stance on abortion in which he insisted the issue of abortion should be left to states, instead of showing support for a federal ban on the brutal destruction of innocent life. The former president, who is the current frontrunner for the Republican nomination heading into the 2024 election, added he supported "exceptions" to infanticide restrictions, including in cases of rape, incest, and the ever-subjective "life of the mother."
As a result, numerous pro-life individuals and groups slammed the “weak” statement.
Here’s a video of Trump’s statement in full:
WATCH: Trump releases new statement on abortion policy, saying abortion restrictions should be left to states. Do you agree? pic.twitter.com/hCv13xgt1h
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) April 8, 2024
Whatever states decide - including those that choose not to restrict elective abortions at all - “must be the law of the land, in this case, the law of the state,” Trump said before claiming that “this is all about the will of the people.”
The phrase, “Do what’s right for your family, and do what’s right for yourself, do what’s right for your children,” seemed pretty “pro-choice-y” for the man who has previously made much stronger pro-life statements - hence, the backlash he received.
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“So weak,” radio and TV personality Jenna Ellis said. “Trump punts on the issue of pro-life and pledges to support whatever states decide, including blue states that will allow abortion until the moment of birth. ‘Follow your heart’ is a Hallmark card, not strong conservative principled policy."
Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America released an official statement from its president, Marjorie Dannenfelser, who condemned Trump’s remarks:
We are deeply disappointed in President Trump’s position. Unborn children and their mothers deserve national protections and national advocacy from the brutality of the abortion industry. The Dobbs decision clearly allows both states and Congress to act.
Saying the issue is ‘back to the states’ cedes the national debate to the Democrats who are working relentlessly to enact legislation mandating abortion throughout all nine months of pregnancy. If successful, they will wipe out states’ rights.
With lives on the line, SBA Pro-Life America and the pro-life grassroots will work tirelessly to defeat President Biden and extreme congressional Democrats.
On the other hand, Students for Life Action released a statement indicating that while they of course wan’t a more pro-life approach heading into the 2024 election, Trump’s remarks were “a step in the right direction.”
Kristan Hawkins, Group president said:
The Pro-Life Movement is united that abortion is a federal issue, and we won’t stop working until every child, in every state, is protected in life by law and service. Your state lines should never mean the beginning or end of your human rights.
We clearly have some work to do to educate the GOP on the lawlessness of a predatory IVF industry, whose own sloppiness has caused the painful headlines we all have seen. It’s an industry in need of regulation and change, even as we understand the desire and passion for a family. We want to compassionately embrace families who want children as well as the children turned into a disposable commodity by predatory and negligent businesses. But Pro-Life Generation can work with an administration preparing to welcome the next generation, rather than fast-tracking their deaths by abortion.
Trump also received criticism for not specifying a particular cut-off for elective abortions, and that he said he supports abortion in cases of rape, incest and to save the life of a mother. The first two of that list are red flags for pro-lifers, who believe that no matter how a baby is conceived, he or she is worthy of dignity, respect and the chance at life.
As for "life of the mother" exceptions, critics have pointed to the subjective definition of what constitutes a threat to a woman's health or life under any given law, as a woman's psychological and emotional distress are often used as justifications for murdering her innocent child.
Live Action founder Lila Rose criticized Trump’s preview of his statement that he released Sunday evening.
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“There’s no ‘salvation of our Nation’ while we are permitting killing children. This includes helpless children conceived in rape,” Rose wrote on X.
Former Vice President Mike Pence, who served for four years with Trump, called Trump’s statement a “slap in the face,” and insisted that “Republicans win on life when we speak the truth boldly and stand on the principle that we all know to be true – human life begins at conception and should be defended from womb to tomb.”
Time will tell how this plays out when the pro-life generation shows up to vote in November. My hope and prayer is that whoever is elected sees the innate value of every human life and works to encourage a culture that is all-in on protecting unborn babies.
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Oh how far America has fallen pic.twitter.com/f06xnYbfqr