U.S. President Donald Trump criticised the country’s abortion laws as being “most permissive” in the world while addressing anti-abortion activists this week at the annual March for Life.
He has pledged that his administration would always defend “the right to life.”
Relayed via video link from the White House Rose Garden to the protestors gathered at Washington’s National Mall, the president’s address has highlighted the shift in his views.
US One Of Few Countries Allowing Late Term Abortions
In his speech he criticised the influential 1973 Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade which granted the right to women to an abortion at most stages of a pregnancy, and effectively legalized abortion across most of the United States.
Trump stated that the United States was among “only seven countries to allow elective late-term abortions,” listing China and North Korea, adding that it was “wrong”, and needed to “change.”
Other countries that currently allow elective abortions after 20 weeks are the Netherlands, Canada, Singapore and Vietnam, as per the Charlotte Lozier Institute, an anti-abortion research group.
Trump also listed out the various anti-abortion measures that his administration has so far taken, including an announcement made earlier in the day by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services revoking Obama administration legal guidance that sought to discourage states from defunding organizations that offer abortion related services, like Planned Parenthood.
He has also said that more federal judges opposing abortion will be appointed to ensure that the ruling can be eventually overturned.
Marchers Happy To See Trump As An Ally
In the 45 years since Roe v. Wade decision, the March for Life has taken place every year on its anniversary in protest. Trump is the third sitting president to address the march with the previous ones being Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush .
Last year, Trump sent Vice President Mike Pence, who is a vocal abortion opponent, to address the march, held just after the presidential inauguration.
Many marchers stated that they were happy to see a president as an ally and someone who vehemently supported their agenda.
The event comes a day before the first anniversary of Trump’s inauguration, which is set to be marked by the second Women’s March across the United States .
Trump has earlier expressed support to women’s access to abortion, noting in a 1999 interview that although he “hated the concept of abortion,” he was “very pro-choice.” As a candidate in 2016, Trump had stated his position had “evolved,” describing himself as “pro-life with exceptions,” in cases involving rape or incest.
In general, Americans split roughly down the middle on abortion access, with 49 percent saying they supported it and 46 percent saying they opposed it as seen in a 2017 Gallup poll.
