Trump Becomes First President to Attend March for Life
Trump boldly demonstrates his full support for the pro-life movement.
President Donald Trump today became the first sitting president to attend and speak at the annual March for Life rally. Over its 47-year history, no Republican president (and obviously no Democrat) has made an appearance at the nation’s largest pro-life rally. Though George W. Bush and Ronald Reagan did offer brief supportive remarks via phone and satellite to the marchers, they always maintained a degree of separation.
But Trump is unlike any previous Republican and is most in his element when speaking to a massive rally. While Trump’s checkered personal history and his past support of abortion cause some to question his commitment, his impressive presidential actions in support of life simply cannot be ignored or deemed insignificant. While he and the previous Republican Congress failed to defund Planned Parenthood, Trump has followed through on other promises — nominating pro-life judges, signing a bill allowing states to block Title X funding from going to “family planning” organizations that perform abortions, and reinstating a federal policy preventing foreign aid from being used to provide or endorse abortions.
“From the first day in office,” Trump said during his speech, “I’ve taken historic action to support America’s families and protect the unborn.” Moreover, he said, “All of us here today understand an eternal truth: Every child is a precious and sacred gift from God. When we see the image of a baby in the womb, we glimpse the majesty of God’s creation.”
Trump is now boldly enjoining himself to the pro-life movement in a manner avoided by prior Republican presidents. Of all the negative character flaws one can criticize Trump for, boldness to stand up for what he believes is not one of them. Trump’s decision is truly momentous in the history of the pro-life movement.
(*Updated with some of Trump’s comments.)