Perspective:
A historic appearance cements the president’s pro-life standing
President Trump’s strong anti-abortion stance should cement his political standing with evangelicals and conservative Catholics, but are these groups too willing to overlook the president’s arguably unchristian policies?
Amonth ago, President Donald Trump became the first president to speak at the March for Life, a large anti-abortion rally held annually on the Washington Mall. It was a move aimed at reminding conservative Christians that he is their biggest ally when it comes to turning their values into policy.
“Unborn children have never had a stronger defender in the White House,” he told the crowd, while making the case for his presidency.
The Jan. 24 event has long been popular with the white evangelicals and white Catholics who helped deliver the White House to Trump in 2016. And upon news of his appearance, many conservatives championed his presence at the gathering as a huge deal months ahead of the 2020 election.
But there is reason to believe that his presence was tied more to how competitive the 2020 election could be for the president, despite his ongoing support with one of his most faithful groups. While Trump has remained popular with white evangelicals since winning the 2016 election, the stability of his reputation with the group has come into question in recent months after Christianity Today, one of the most influential Christian publications in the country, called for the president to be removed from office, stating that his actions involving attempted interference in the 2020 election were “profoundly immoral.”
Trump’s appearance at the event served as a reminder to conservative Christians that he alone is the candidate most interested in supporting their values. He attempted to make the case that criticism from the left toward him is tied to his commitment to Christian values, not because of concerns about the ethics and legality of his administration.
“They are coming after me because I am fighting for you, and we are fighting for those who have no voice. And we will win, because we know how to win,” Trump told the crowd.
In an election where fractions of percentage points could matter, shoring up his base seems like a good investment of Trump’s time. Republicans have spent this cycle repeatedly claiming that liberals seeking the White House — such as Sen. Bernie Sanders and former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg — are set on implementing policies that would offend, if not harm, religious conservatives.
Trump reminded these voters, who rank abortion and religious freedom as their top priority, of his past decisions, despite ongoing questions about his character.
“All of us understand an eternal truth: Every child is a precious and sacred gift from God,” he said. “When we see a baby in the womb, we glimpse the majesty of God’s creation.”
Trump’s appearance at the March for Life proves that his team recognizes something that is a bit surprising for a president who won record levels of evangelical support: He can’t afford to lose even a few of his core voters.
A reminder to conservative Christians that he alone is the candidate most interested in supporting their values.