(Oregon Right to Life) — As the 2024 presidential election season heads into the home stretch, former U.S. president Donald Trump has rattled many pro-life advocates by continually distancing himself from solid pro-life priorities. Will his move to the left pay off with moderates, or will it simply demoralize his pro-life base?
Trump, who earned the praise of pro-life advocates during his presidency, especially for appointing U.S. Supreme Court justices who overturned Roe v. Wade, has triggered concern and displeasure for moving away from endorsing robust pro-life protections.
What Has Trump Said?
- In April, Trump made clear that he believes abortion should be regulated by the states exclusively, rejecting the notion of a federal abortion limit. He has also repeatedly affirmed his support for exceptions in the case of rape, incest, or the life of the mother.
- This summer, Trump began saying he supported the U.S. Supreme Court’s June decision not to block access to the abortion drug mifepristone (he said the Court “approved” mifepristone, though it actually simply dismissed the case for lacking standing).
- Both Trump and his running mate J.D. Vance have subsequently repeated that they support access to mifepristone. That support comes even though chemical abortions now account for some 63% of abortions nationwide.
- In July, the Republican National Committee (RNC) approved a new, noticeably scaled-down platform that reframes the party’s stance on abortion in alignment with Trump’s priorities. The new platform uses 14th amendment language that leaves room for future federal pro-life protections, but fails to affirm that “the unborn child has a fundamental right to life which cannot be infringed” or call for “a human life amendment to the Constitution” as the 2016 platform did.
- In August, J.D. Vance said unequivocally that Trump would veto a federal abortion ban.
- Trump posted on social media that his administration would be “great for women and their reproductive rights” without explaining what he meant.
- At the end of August, Trump promised to have the government pay (or mandate that insurance companies pay) for In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) treatments. The IVF process tragically treats human life as commodities and creates and destroys hundreds of thousands of unborn lives each year. Many pro-life advocates, including Oregon Right to Life, maintain that IVF is not an ethical solution to infertility.
- Trump again agitated pro-life advocates when he appeared to suggest he might vote for a pro-abortion Florida ballot initiative that would enshrine a “right” to abortion in the state constitution. He later affirmed he will vote against the amendment.
How Do Trump’s Positions on Abortion Compare With Kamala Harris’?
Kamala Harris is on track to be the most pro-abortion president in U.S. history if she’s elected.
- Harris has vowed to codify Roe v. Wade, stripping away the rights of pro-life states and voters to implement meaningful protections for the unborn.
- The new Democratic Party Platform contains a pledge to repeal the Hyde Amendment, which currently prohibits the federal government from using taxpayer dollars to finance abortions.
- Harris has refused to say she would support any limits on abortion at any stage of pregnancy, and promised to expand abortion access nationwide.
- This year, Harris became the first vice president in U.S. history to visit an abortion facility when she stopped by a Planned Parenthood location.
Read More: Kamala Harris Would Likely Be the Most Pro-Abortion President in US History
What Are Pro-Life Advocates Saying About the Choice Between Harris and Trump?
Pro-life advocates note that Harris would advance a radical abortion agenda that would endanger many thousands of unborn lives and thwart the progress of the pro-life movement. Many, but not all, regard Trump as a better – though not perfect or ideal – option for those concerned about protecting unborn life.
National pro-life leaders have consistently juxtaposed the policy positions of Harris and Trump, arguing that the main priority of pro-life advocates this election is to vote against the radicalism of Kamala Harris.
Many pro-life advocates have been deeply disappointed, however, to see Trump create so much distance between himself and the pro-life movement in recent months. Live Action founder Lila Rose has notably come out strongly to push Trump to stand up for the unborn.
Where Does That Leave Us?
It remains to be seen whether Trump’s strategic move to the left on the abortion issue will ultimately help or hurt him politically.
While most pro-life advocates would not consider voting for a candidate with as extreme an abortion agenda as Kamala Harris’, many would prefer Trump to present a more stark alternative. But, since the majority of U.S. voters don’t fully adhere to a pro-life position, Trump’s strategy may be an effective one to secure the White House and at least stave off the most radical abortion policies. And whether Trump will be more amenable to pro-life priorities while in office than he has been on the campaign trail is another factor that remains to be seen.
One thing that is clear is that this election season has been – and will likely continue to be – full of surprises.
Further Reading:
