Trump Presidency Revives Long-running National Debate on Abortion

FILE PHOTO:U.S. President-elect Donald Trump in Manhattan, New York, U.S., November 9, 2016.

Thousands of anti-abortion activists are pouring into Washington, D.C. Friday, for the annual March for Life, an annual gathering that is energized this year by the changes expected under the administration of Donald Trump and the Republican-led Congress.

Vice President Mike Pence, a longtime abortion opponent, is expected to address the rally near the U.S. Capitol.


Just days after half-a-million people marched for the protection of reproductive rights during the new administration, demonstrators in the 43rd annual March for Life will walk the same streets, protesting the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion.

The two demonstrations coming just days apart provide a window into one of the country’s most contentious issues, illustrating that both sides have no intention of backing down, with congressional and executive actions giving new hope to the cause of anti-abortion activists.

In one of his first acts in the Oval Office, President Trump signed an executive order applying the so-called “Mexico City policy,” preventing U.S. funding from going to any foreign organizations that promote abortion.

Global gag rule
The policy  referred to as the global gag rule by opponents has always flipped according to the party that controls the White House. Since 1984, Republican presidents have implemented it, while Democratic presidents have rescinded it; but, opponents argue Trump’s executive order goes one step further than past Republican presidents.

“What President Trump has done has been to extend the reach of the global gag rule,” Jamila Taylor, a senior fellow covering women’s health and reproductive rights at the Center for American Progress, told VOA. “It’s now applicable to all global health funding.”

Trump has had an inconsistent record on abortion  describing himself as “very pro-choice” in 1999, before going on to court controversy during the 2016 presidential campaign when he said women seeking abortions should face “some sort of punishment.”

The White House reaffirmed the president’s commitment to the cause Monday when press secretary Sean Spicer told reporters, “It’s no secret that this administration and this president are going to do what they can to fight for life.”

Anti-abortion activists welcome the president’s support, even if he can’t match the depth of their commitment.

“President Trump is an opportunist when it comes to the pro-life cause and we’re happy for his opportunism,” Chad Pecknold, a professor of theology at the Catholic University of America, told VOA.

 “I think the movement is happy with that even if you opposed his presidency, even if you opposed his candidacy, I think we’re grateful for any support he lends to the cause.”