In a “Face the Nation” interview that is airing today, Donald Trump made a stunning statement on abortion. He revealed that he believes federal abortion law is “set” and that “we have to leave it that way.”
CBS News reported the discussion, after Trump was “asked how he’d like to change the law to further restrict access to abortions.”
TRUMP: “The laws are set now on abortion and that’s the way they’re going to remain until they’re changed.”
TRUMP: “I would’ve preferred states’ rights…I think it would’ve been better if it were up to the states. But right now, the laws are set….At this moment, the laws are set. And I think we have to leave it that way.”
DICKERSON: “Do you think abortion is murder?”
TRUMP: “I have my opinions on it, but I’d rather not comment on it.”
DICKERSON: “You said you were very pro-life. Pro-life means that…abortion is murder.”
TRUMP: “I mean, I do have my opinions on it. I just don’t think it’s an appropriate forum.”
DICKERSON: “But you don’t disagree with that proposition, that it’s murder?”
TRUMP: “No, I don’t disagree with it.”
Though a Trump spokesperson later attempted to do damage control, claiming that Trump would “change the law through his judicial appointments and allow the states to protect the unborn,” the damage has been done.
Trump’s claim that federal law is “set,” combined with his spokesperson’s attempted assurance that Trump believes states should decide the abortion issue demonstrates a fatal flaw in Trump’s stance. Simply put, he sees no 14th Amendment right to life for the preborn child.
If one truly believes that every child has the constitutional right to life, this necessitates a change at the federal level, not just at the state level. Additionally, Trump’s comments – even after clarification – indicate that he does not support pro-life bills that are being considered by the U.S. Congress, including a ban on abortions after 20 weeks. Such bans are widely popular with the public (even by many who claim to be pro-choice), but apparently, not supported by Donald J. Trump.
His suggested judicial nominees include his sister – who was a public supporter of partial-birth abortion (and who forced a state to allow it) – and a federal judge who forced a state to fund Planned Parenthood against its will. So much for states having the right to decide on abortion through judges appointed by Trump.
Furthermore, it should be very concerning to any pro-lifer that Trump thought a public TV show was not “an appropriate forum” to explain his beliefs on abortion. Due to his history of financial support for dedicated abortion advocates like Hillary Clinton and Charles Schumer, Trump cannot afford to skirt the issue of abortion.
It would appear Donald Trump is nowhere close to a pro-life champion. If his beliefs on the subject were truly settled, he would not need to continually change and clarify his statements. Abortion is the human rights issue of our day, and Trump cannot afford to get it so blatantly wrong.
