Trump rallies abortion opponents, urges them to vote for conservatives

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Tuesday issued a rallying call to opponents of abortion, encouraging them to go to the polls to elect conservative lawmakers.

Speaking at the Susan B. Anthony List’s annual “Campaign for Life Gala,” Trump took a victory lap for his anti- abortion policies and nominations of conservative justices to federal courts. But he warned the group they must show up at the polls to preserve their gains under his administration.

“Every day between now and November we must work together to elect more lawmakers who share our values, cherish our heritage, and proudly stand for life,” Trump said. He summed it up for the roomful of enthusiastic supporters: “The story is, ’ 18 midterms, we need Republicans.”

Trump has long been an unlikely sweetheart for conservative and evangelical voters. But now, in the lead-up to the midterm elections, the thrice- married former Democrat who used to describe himself as “very pro- choice” has been offering catnip to conservative voters.

Last week, the administration unveiled a new push to strip funding from Planned Parenthood and other family planning clinics. The initiative, which formally was unveiled Tuesday, is aimed at resurrecting parts of a Reagan- era mandate banning federally funded family planning clinics from referring women for abortions, or sharing space with abortion providers.

And it arrived just in time for Trump to highlight it Tuesday at the gala. The speech, said one administration official, was aimed at a core constituency of conservative activists who will be key to energizing the party entering the fall midterm elections.

Trump, for his part, promised a “massive campaign” to assist Republicans this fall, and highlighted his role contributing toward the Republican National Committee’s fundraising haul.

“Your vote in 2018 is every bit as important as your vote in 2016,” Trump said, reading off a teleprompter. He paused before telling the crowd: “I’m not sure I really believe that. I don’t know who the hell wrote that line.”

Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the anti-abortion Susan B. Anthony List, branded Trump “the most pro-life president in history” at the Gala, and told the AP the move “will help tremendously” in the midterms.