Anti-abortion leaders worry they may have to oppose Trump if he doesn’t back national ban – By Meredith McGraw and Natalie Allison (Politico) / May 18, 2023
The former president has steadfastly refused to get pinned down, much to chagrin of those in the movement.
Top anti-abortion leaders are continuing to lobby Donald Trump on a 15-week ban they believe should be the standard for the Republican Party.
Their efforts come even as Trump has not only refused to embrace a ban but has framed some abortion legislation as electorally toxic. And it is being driven by a desire to avoid the politically uncomfortable spectacle of having to rebuke the man who not only delivered their movement its greatest win, but is likely to be the GOP’s presidential nominee.
“We will oppose any presidential candidate who refuses to embrace at a minimum a 15-week national standard to stop painful late-term abortions while allowing states to enact further protections,” Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of SBA Pro-Life America, has said of the organization’s 2024 strategy.
After a meeting Trump held earlier this month with Dannenfelser, Family Research Council President Tony Perkins and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R- S.C.), Dannenfelser called the conversation “terrific” and described Trump’s presidency as “the most consequential in American history for the pro-life cause.” Two people with knowledge of the meeting said the anti-abortion leaders showed Trump polling on the issue, and they left under the impression that Trump has not ruled out supporting a national law.
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