President Donald Trump made it quite clear almost immediately after his inauguration in January 2017 that he would defend the rights of the unborn.
About one year later, he continued to hold true to that position, so much so that on Friday, January 19, he became the first sitting president ever to speak at the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C.
As the event was taking place elsewhere in the nation’s capitol, Trump addressed the attendees through a live satellite video feed from the Rose Garden at the White House. And with that, he made history, as no other president had ever spoken at the event in its 45-year history.
Moving and Clear Remarks
At the beginning of his speech, Trump made some moving and unmistakably pro-life remarks.
“Today, I am honored and proud to be the first president to stand with you at the White House to address the 45th March for Life,” he said. “The March for Life is a movement born out of love. Every child is a precious gift from God.”
The president went on to double down on his promises to uphold the right to life through legislative action.
“Under my administration, we will always defend the very first right in the Declaration of Independence, and that is the right to life,” he continued. “As you all know, Roe versus Wade has resulted in some of the most permissive abortion laws anywhere in the world.”
The United States is “one of only seven countries to allow elective late-term abortions along with China, North Korea and others. It is wrong, it has to change.”
“Americans are more and more pro-life, you see that all the time. In fact, only 12 percent of Americans support abortion on demand at any time.”
Vice President Mike Pence echoed President Trump and further emphasized their administration’s pro-life stance when he said “This pro-life generation should never doubt we are with you and this president stands with you.”
Favorable Comments from Event Leader
The president’s remarks earned praise from Jeannne Mancini, the president of the March for Life organization.
“Since his first day in office, President Trump has remained steadfast on his campaign promises to the pro-life cause and has actively worked to protect the unborn,” Mancini stated in a press release. “Over the past year, the Trump administration has significantly advanced pro-life policy, and it is with great confidence that, under his leadership, we expect to see other pro-life achievements in the years to come.”
A Major Milestone
The theme of this year’s March for Life was “Love Saves Lives.” The event draws a huge turnout in the nation’s capital every January. In fact, in 2018 more than 100,000 Americans were expected to gather in Washington, D.C. after traveling from all over the country for the significant event.
Although Trump is the first sitting president to speak live at the March for Life, he isn’t the first to make remarks at the event. In 2003 and 2004, President George W. Bush provided remarks via telephone. President Ronald Reagan did the same in 1987.
In addition to President Trump, many pro-life leaders spoke at the 2018 March for Life. These included House Speaker Paul Ryan, Pam Tebow (mother of NFL football player turned baseball player Tim Tebow), Matt and Adrianna Birk, U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski, U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, Bishop Vincent Matthews Jr., and Sister Bethany Madonna.
The March for Life takes place around January 22, which is the anniversary of the date that abortion became legal throughout the United States in 1973. This year’s event marked the 45th anniversary of that date, and thus, also near the 45th annual March for Life.
With an advocate as vocal as Trump in the White House, the pro-life cause can expect many more victories as well as increased awareness for pro-life efforts throughout the current presidential term. In fact, as Pence said when he introduced Trump at the March for Life, Trump is the “most pro-life president in American history.”
~ 1776 Christian
