Former Vice President Mike Pence criticized Donald Trump for his changing stance on abortion rights. Pence expressed his disappointment with Trump’s “retreat” on the issue and highlighted the importance of a consistent approach.
In a video shared on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump, the presumed 2024 Republican presidential nominee, expressed his stance on abortion rights. He stated that he would delegate the decision on this matter to individual states.
In a video statement, Trump expressed his perspective on abortion, emphasizing that it should be determined by the states through votes or legislature, or possibly both. He highlighted the importance of the states having the authority to decide on this matter, stating that their decisions should be respected as the law of the land, specifically within the respective states.
He also emphasized his strong support for exceptions in cases of rape, incest, and when the mother’s life is at risk.
According to Trump, the will of the people is what matters most at the end of the day.
Some interpret his comments as an attempt to ease concerns among moderate voters who question his stance on federal restrictions on abortion. Abortion rights have become a divisive issue within the Republican party, as voters across the country have increasingly shown support for these rights. However, his position on abortion has received a lukewarm reception from his conservative base, many of whom advocate for nationwide restrictions or even complete bans on the medical procedure.
Pence, who was Trump’s vice president during his first term in office but distanced himself from him after the January 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol building, added his voice to the growing number of conservative critics who disagree with Trump’s stance on abortion on Monday afternoon.
In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, he criticized Republican politicians for their apparent willingness to distance themselves from the fight for life. He expressed his disappointment shortly after Trump declared his stance on abortion.
In a scathing criticism, former Vice President Mike Pence expressed his disappointment with President Trump’s recent shift on the Right to Life issue. Pence referred to this change as a direct betrayal to the millions of pro-life Americans who had placed their trust in Trump both in the 2016 and 2020 elections.
In June 2022, the Trump administration nominated conservative Supreme Court justices who successfully overturned the landmark decision, Roe v. Wade. This decision had long guaranteed abortion rights across the U.S. The specific case that led to this overturning was Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization.
After the Dobbs decision, Republicans found themselves facing backlash at the polls. Democrats have had significant success in special elections, effectively limiting Republican gains during the 2022 midterms, with their key focus being the protection of reproductive rights. Interestingly, even in traditionally conservative-leaning states like Kansas, there have been instances of pro-abortion right ballot referendums being passed.
Pence expressed his belief on X that Republicans have the potential to succeed on the issue of abortion by boldly speaking the truth and standing firmly on the universally recognized principle.
“Our Republican nominee and other candidates may try to downplay the importance of the pro-life cause, but I am confident that pro-life Americans will never give up until we witness the restoration of the sanctity of life as the focal point of American law in every state,” he emphasized.
In the Republican presidential primary, Pence once challenged Trump as a more traditionally conservative alternative. However, he decided to end his campaign in October, well before the first votes were cast, as he faced difficulties in gaining traction against his former boss.
In a Fox News interview in March, Pence made it clear that he would not be endorsing Donald Trump this year.
“I cannot endorse Donald Trump in this campaign,” he stated, emphasizing that the former president’s agenda contradicts the conservative principles that guided their governance for four years.
