Did Former President Trump Damage His Pro-Life Credentials During An Interview On NBC’s Meet The Press?

American Family News (“AFN”) published an article today regarding recent comments from former President Donald J. Trump that have alarmed some in the pro-life community, suggesting that given his desire to return to the Oval Office, he may not be the devoted friend to the pro-life movement many believed him to be.

In June 2023, speaking before the Faith & Freedom Coalition Gala in Washington, DC, President Trump told the group he was proud to be “the most pro-life president” in the history of the United States; however, it now appears that the former president isn’t even the most pro-life candidate in the coming GOP primaries – a point driven home by Abby Johnson, a former Planned Parenthood clinic director but now a prominent advocate for life.

The AFN article may be read HERE.

My brothers and sisters, on Sunday, September 17, 2023, President Trump was interviewed by Kristen Welker on NBC’s Meet The Press.  Among other issues, Ms. Welker aggressively questioned the former president about his views on abortion policy in the United States (“US”).  President Trump’s comments were somewhat disappointing for those who understand that approximately 90-95% of all reported abortions in the US are performed during or prior to the 15th week of gestation.

Here is a YouTube video of the complete Meet The Press interview:

This is the same issue that affected – to one degree or another – Mark Ronchetti’s run for New Mexico governor a couple years ago against the current (and then incumbent) New Mexico Governor, Michelle Lujan Grisham.  He was openly signaling a willingness to consider or accept a 15-week limit for abortions – which by multiple estimates would involve more than 90% of all abortions.

During the interview, beginning at about 25:50 minutes, President Trump speaks about how the “number of months” (meaning how long abortion would be allowable) will be determined and that legislators needed to come together to “find something that’s acceptable.”

Beginning at about 28:25 minutes, President Trump calls Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ signing of a six-week ban on abortion earlier this year “a terrible thing” and “a terrible mistake.”

Beginning at about 30:10 minutes, President Trump expresses that he doesn’t care if abortion law becomes more settled at the state or the federal level, but that “the number of weeks is much more important.”  He also said that “something will happen regarding the number of weeks – the amount of time after which you can’t do it.”

In apparent reference to seeking law that establishes abortion protection up to an established number of weeks, President Trump also said, without example or explanation, that “most powerful people [who] are anti-abortion are okay with that now.”

The Charlotte Lozier Institute has an informative online fact sheet regarding abortion at 15 weeks in the US, which may be viewed HERE.

On April 14, 2023, The Associated Press reported about Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ signing of the above-mentioned six-week abortion ban legislation, which may be viewed HERE.  The State of Florida currently has a 15-week abortion ban.  The new six-week law is a “trigger law” – meaning it will only take effect if the Florida Supreme Court upholds the 15-week ban passed in 2022.

My brothers and sisters, I’m very much aware of the positive things and lives saved as a result of President Trump’s prior US Supreme Court nominations; however, and at least in this NBC interview, he seemed to treat abortion in the same light as any other political hot potato or policy matter, speaking of reaching a consensus so we (the US) can “move on” to the economy and other pressing matters!  That was nauseating to hear.

The killing of our children (born or unborn) is not a routine political issue that is best handled through simple negotiation and the making of a deal – and certainly not when what is at stake is a compromise formally establishing, as a matter of law, that approximately 95% of all abortions are acceptable.  The willful and intentional killing of God’s children is a sin and is not of God.  We are cherished and loved by God!  He knew us before we were ever formed in our mother’s wombs!

This writer’s commentary is not to simply beat up on President Trump, as to one degree or another, all of the current GOP candidates fall into this category – and it goes without saying how the Democratic Party views this matter.  That said, the other candidates for the presidency weren’t successfully pinned down on the subject as happened with President Trump last weekend on Face The Nation.

I understand that when a person desires (or has been called to) a position of influence and power in civil government (e.g., POTUS), in order to get things done and effect necessary change, one has to FIRST get elected; however, getting elected to a position, no matter how powerful, does not negate God’s word – which must always come first and be factored into all decisions made.  This is exactly why godly men and women need to be involved in our civil governments.

A governmental leader could state that he or she would be willing to sign any legislation that reduces the number of abortions (until such signings were longer necessary), but it’s an entirely different thing (perspective) to speak of and encourage the formal allowance of a certain number of abortions up front.  This signals a willingness to embrace abortions at some level and could discourage those who would push for a higher standard of legislation.  God’s babies are not “items to be culled” and are not to be given a lower standard of worth or sanctity.  They are human lives, made in the image and likeness of God.

Prayer is critical for the US’ upcoming primaries in 2024 and the subsequent national election in November.  Politics usually leaves those who walk with a biblical worldview very messy choices.  Pray for wisdom for those running for office, and for those who will be voting next year, and for you and me – as we navigate this situation.

Genesis 1:26 (NKJV)
“Then God said, ‘[l]et Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness…'”.

Psalm 139:13-16 (NLT)
“You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb.  Thank [Y]ou for making me so wonderfully complex!  Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.  You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.  You saw me before I was born.  Every day of my life was recorded in [Y]our book.  Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.”

Jeremiah 1:5 (NKJV)
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you…”.

1 John 4:7-8 (NKJV)
“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.  He who does not love does not know God, for God is love (emphasis mine).”

Praise Jesus forevermore!

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