Former Vice President Mike Pence has taken aim at his former running mate, President Donald Trump, over his recent comments on abortion.
Upon hearing Trump’s announcement that he will not support a federal abortion ban, Pence charged that this decision is a “retreat on the Right to Life” and “a slap in the face to the millions of pro-life Americans.”
This statement from Pence came just shortly after Trump took credit for the recent Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade, which had previously legalized abortion nationwide. Trump did take credit for this important victory for the pro-life movement. He also declined to support a federal ban on abortion, instead emphasizing his belief that the issue should be left up to individual states to decide.
“The states will determine by vote, or legislation, or perhaps both, and whatever they decide must be the law of the land – in this case, the law of the state,” Trump said in video posted on social media. “Many states will be different. Many states will have a different number of weeks… at the end of the day it is all about the will of the people.”
Pence argues that it is a letdown for the millions of Americans who voted for Trump in 2016 and 2020, specifically for his promise to support the pro-life cause. Pence points out that it was under the Trump administration that conservative justices were nominated and confirmed to the Supreme Court, leading to the overturning of Roe v. Wade. However, by failing to support a federal ban on abortion, Trump is caving to pressure from the left and neglecting the will of his pro-life supporters.
In a statement on social media, Pence said, “President Trump’s retreat on the Right to Life is a slap in the face to the millions of pro-life Americans who voted for him in 2016 and 2020. By nominating and standing by the confirmation of conservative justices, the Trump-Pence Administration helped send Roe v. Wade to the ash heap of history where it belongs and gave the pro-life movement the opportunity to compassionately support women and unborn children.”
Pence also criticized other Republican politicians who he believes are “all too ready to wash their hands of the battle for life.” He urges his fellow Republicans to stay strong and continue fighting for the sanctity of life, regardless of the political consequences.
Trump’s announcement has also drawn criticism from leading anti-abortion group Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life, with their president, Majorie Dannenfelser, stating that she was “deeply disappointed” by Trump’s decision. She argues that his statement gives the Democrats an advantage as they push for more extreme abortion laws, even going as far as to mandate it throughout all nine months of pregnancy.
This is not the first time Trump has caused controversy within the Republican party over the issue of abortion. During his campaign, he called out fellow Republicans who did not allow for exceptions in cases of rape, incest, and when the life of the mother is at risk, blaming them for the party’s losses in the 2022 midterm elections.
While Trump may take credit for the recent victory of the pro-life movement, his failure to support a federal ban on abortion is a disappointment to his pro-life supporters. Pence and other Republicans are determined to continue fighting for the sanctity of life.
