In a gathering that brought together thousands, pro-life leaders convened in Washington, D.C., at the March for Life, where they expressed a mix of optimism and wariness as President Donald Trump embarks on his second term. The event, held on January 24, 2025, saw a chorus of voices calling for significant actions, especially regarding the defunding of Planned Parenthood and the protection of unborn children.
On the day before this impactful march, Trump made headlines by granting pardons to around two dozen pro-life activists who had been imprisoned for breaches of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act. These individuals had faced federal consequences under the previous administration for blocking access to abortion facilities, making this move a poignant moment for the attendees.
One notable figure at the event, Kristan Hawkins, president of Students for Life of America, supported Trump’s decision but highlighted her concerns. She mentioned that while she appreciated the pardons, it was crucial for Trump to recognize that the struggle continues and that his efforts cannot end there. Throughout his recent campaign, Trump indicated a preference for letting states decide on abortion, a stance that drew criticism from several pro-life advocates.
Hawkins emphasized the immediate priority ought to be the financial dismantling of Planned Parenthood, which alone performs over 300,000 abortions annually, making it the largest provider of such services in the U.S. She asserted, “The number one job right now should be defunding and devouring Planned Parenthood. So we are going to have to convince President Trump to join us on that.”
This crucial conversation also touched upon the potential for the administration to take necessary steps to cut federal funding for Planned Parenthood, pointing to allegations of fraud and misconduct linked to the organization. For instance, Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast had to settle for $1.4 million after accusations of billing fraud related to Medicaid services.
At the rally, Trump didn’t shy away from making bold statements, branding Roe v. Wade as an “unconstitutional decision” that initiated decades of strife. He committed to opposing any radical steps by Democrats aimed at establishing a constitutional right to unrestricted abortion throughout pregnancy. Vice President J.D. Vance echoed this sentiment, adding weight to the pro-life advocates’ hopes for collaboration with the current administration.
Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, expressed her optimism about furthering their agenda with Trump in office. Citing the administration’s latest policy endorsing the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, she noted that the momentum seems to be shifting, and there’s a renewed focus on their priorities, including the necessary steps to address the funding of Planned Parenthood.
In Trump’s recent executive measures, many pre-existing pro-life policies were reinstated, including the Mexico City Policy, which prohibits foreign NGOs from utilizing U.S. funds to provide abortion services. This led Dannenfelser to state confidently, “For the first time since 2017, we have a shot at defunding Planned Parenthood,” citing positive responses from both Senate and House leaders regarding this initiative.
Alongside the financial issues surrounding Planned Parenthood, Hawkins brought attention to the growing concern regarding chemical abortion drugs. She proposed the Clean Water for All Act, highlighting the need for accountability in the handling of fetal remains, urging that collecting remains should be mandatory for those choosing to undergo abortion. “This would bring the abortion industry in line with the laws of our land,” she noted.
Both Jeanne Mancini, a former president of the March for Life Education and Defense Fund, and the newly elected president, Jennie Bradley Lichter, sounded a note of eagerness to see how Trump’s governance unfolds in his second term. Lichter reflected on her firsthand experience in the previous administration, affirming that Trump had marked several significant victories for the pro-life cause.
Leave a Reply