Trump Wants Exceptions in Abortion Bans, Urges Pro-Lifers to ‘Stay United’

Michael Foust | CrosswalkHeadlines Contributor | Updated: May 20, 2019

Trump Wants Exceptions in Abortion Bans, Urges Pro-Lifers to ‘Stay United’

President Trump distanced himself Sunday from Alabama’s new law banning abortion, saying he prefers exceptions be made for rape, incest and the life of the mother.

He also said his pro-life views mirror those of Ronald Reagan.

Alabama Republican Gov. Kay Ivey signed into law Wednesday the Human Life Protection Act, which prohibits abortion except when it is needed to avoid a “serious health risk” to the mother.

“As most people know, and for those who would like to know, I am strongly Pro-Life, with the three exceptions – Rape, Incest and protecting the Life of the mother – the same position taken by Ronald Reagan,” Trump wrote on Twitter.

“We have come very far in the last two years with 105 wonderful new Federal Judges (many more to come), two great new Supreme Court Justices, the Mexico City Policy, and a whole new & positive attitude about the Right to Life,” Trump added.

....Federal Judges (many more to come), two great new Supreme Court Justices, the Mexico City Policy, and a whole new & positive attitude about the Right to Life. The Radical Left, with late term abortion (and worse), is imploding on this issue. We must stick together and Win....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 19, 2019

“The Radical Left, with late-term abortion (and worse), is imploding on this issue. We must stick together and Win for Life in 2020,” he wrote. “If we are foolish and do not stay UNITED as one, all of our hard fought gains for Life can, and will, rapidly disappear!”

....for Life in 2020. If we are foolish and do not stay UNITED as one, all of our hard fought gains for Life can, and will, rapidly disappear!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 19, 2019

Trump’s Tweet ignited a debate among pro-lifers and pro-choicers.

Some pro-lifers agreed with Trump and said pragmatism is the best path forward.

“If we can't get it all banned it's best to at least get the bigger part banned and then go from there. If we say all or nothing we lose,” Linda E. Panza wrote.

I totally agree Terri but if we can't get it all banned it's best to at least get the bigger part banned and then go from there. If we say all or nothing we lose.
— Linda E Panza (@LpanzaE) May 20, 2019

Lila Rose of Live Action encouraged Trump to reconsider his stance.

“Thank you for the great work your administration has done on behalf of life. If we are pro-life, we must be 100% pro-life,” Rose wrote. “A child of rape or incest is not a 2nd-class citizen. No woman or girl is served by abortion or immune to its trauma, including survivors of rape and incest.”

Thank you for the great work your administration has done on behalf of life. If we are pro-life, we must be 100% pro-life. A child of rape or incest is not a 2nd-class citizen. No woman or girl is served by abortion or immune to its trauma, including survivors of rape and incest.
— Lila Rose (@LilaGraceRose) May 20, 2019

Actress Patricia Arquette, who is pro-choice, led the criticism of Trump.

“You will never legislate abortion away you are only working to make safe abortions illegal,” Arquette tweeted.