The relationship between Donald Trump and the pro-life movement has been on shaky ground for a while now: The former president blamed pro-lifers for Republicans' lackluster showing in the midterms and then refused to stake out a firm position on the issue during the GOP primary. But what began as coded, quiet bickering between Trump world and hardline pro-lifers, with both sides trying to avoid entirely alienating the other, exploded into full public view earlier this week as Trump declined to endorse federal abortion restrictions, only to follow up days later by saying the Arizona supreme court went too far in upholding a law that bans nearly all abortions.
"Yeah they did," Trump told reporters at an airport in Georgia earlier today when asked if the Arizona supreme court ruling went "too far." "That'll be straightened out, and as you know it's all about states' rights."
Also on Wednesday, Trump again took credit for helping overturn Roe v. Wade but said he would decline to sign a federal abortion ban if he wins in November.
The comments are likely to further alienate a portion of anti-abortion advocates who already believe that in declining to endorse a nationwide ban and leaving the issue to the states, the GOP's presumptive 2024 nominee has sold the pro-life movement down the river.
One group that falls into that fiercely critical category is Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, which has spent the past year lobbying Trump and other GOP candidates to endorse a 15-week federal ban.
"We believe unborn children and their mothers deserve national protection and to be protected from brutal late-term abortion all throughout this country regardless of where you live — whether you're in Texas or you're in California," said Kelsey Pritchard, director of state public affairs for the group.
Other pro-life advocates went even further in their criticism. Former vice president Mike Pence called Trump's Monday remarks a "slap in the face" to the pro-life moment, and South Carolina senator Lindsey Graham — a longtime advocate of a 15-week federal ban who has a complicated relationship with the former president — called Trump's new approach a "mistake."
Lila Rose, founder and president of Live Action, went so far as to say that Trump is "not a pro-life candidate," in a statement on Monday. "He's far less pro-abortion than Biden, but he supports killing some preborn children and will even make that his position . . .
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