President Donald Trump came out strong against abortion on Friday afternoon during his historic March for Life address, taking pointed aim at late-term abortion, which he said is “wrong” and must change.
“Roe vs. Wade has resulted in some of the most permissive abortion laws anywhere in the world,” he said, lamenting locations in the U.S. that allow late-term abortion “in the ninth month” of a woman’s pregnancy. “It is wrong. It has to change.”
Trump also spoke about the “miracle” of life, praising the love that can be seen between mothers and their newborn babies.
“We know that life is the greatest miracle of all,” he said. “We see it in the eyes of every new mother who cradles that wonderful, innocent and glorious newborn child.”
At one point, Trump invited up a woman who had chosen life when she became pregnant at a young age, and commended her for her brave decision.
Vice President Mike Pence, who introduced Trump before the president’s address, also spoke out, pledging to restore the “sanctity of life” and lamenting the 1973 Roe. vs. Wade Supreme Court decision, which legalized abortion across America.
“Forty-five years ago, the Supreme Court of the United States turned its back on the unalienable right to life,” Pence said. “But in that moment, our movement began.”
He again called Trump the “most pro-life president in American history” and said that “life is winning in America, because love saves lives.”
While Trump’s speech is historic and notable, past presidents have indeed taken part in the pro-life cause. Both George W. Bush and Ronald Reagan addressed participants via phone, NPR noted.
Trump has been praised by some conservatives for his pro-life policy moves — decisions that have riled pro-choice activists. On Thursday, the Trump administration announced that it would create an office aimed at protecting doctors and nurses who oppose abortion on moral grounds and do not wish to offer such services.
Other speakers who will address the March for Life are House Speaker Paul Ryan, Pam Tebow, mother of ex-NFL player Tim Tebow, and Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA), among others. Find out more about the event here.