Anti-Abortion Policies Aren’t Pro-Life

Trump Revives His Anti-Abortion Policies

Angelina Katsanis/POLITICO

Remember how fired up ALL women were over bodily autonomy? The overturning of Roe v. Wade was a galvanizing moment that united women across this country. The anger was palpable. Remember how Trump pledged to leave abortion policy up to the states? He championed state control. Black women knew better. But white women? We got DUPED (or are some of us willing co-conspirators?)…again. 53% of white women fell prey to Trump’s campaign promises once again, casting votes for the very man whose policies have chipped away at their own rights.

It’s barely been a week and Trump has already issued executive orders reviving some of his dangerous anti-abortion policies. His campaign pitch to “leave it to the states” rang hollow for those with any bit of sense. It’s happening just like the Project 2025 playbook outlined. The Project 2025 that Trump claimed to know nothing about. Feeling stupid yet for trusting this pathological liar?

One policy revived by his anti-abortion executive order is the Mexico City Policy. Surface level explainer: The Mexico City Policy blocks federal funding to any international organizations that provide abortion or discuss abortion services. But I would implore you to read more about the Mexico City Policy and the global impacts it has on family planning.

Trump’s stance on abortion goes far beyond “leaving it up to the states”. Rather, Trump aims to restrict access to reproductive rights on a national and even global scale. Women of childbearing age should be deeply concerned. Parents of daughters should be alarmed. Parents of sons who can impregnate women and may one day face the consequences of an unplanned pregnancy should be paying attention too. As a woman of childbearing age—who also falls into the category of "advanced maternal age" (a higher-risk designation, as my doctor friends remind me)—I am horrified by what Trump is doing. His actions jeopardize the health, autonomy, and future of so many.

The claim that being anti-abortion aligns with being "pro-life" is a fallacy. The painful reality is that these “pro-life” policies often lead to horrible outcomes for both women and children. The policies are pro-control (over a woman’s body) and pro-birth. Limiting access to safe and legal abortion won’t stop abortions. It never has. However, what it will do is lead to backroom abortions, where they then become deadly. These restrictions disproportionately harm women of color and women in low-income households. These groups already face significant barriers to healthcare.

It is funny to think about sometimes. When I post anything about what my state legislature is doing to women’s rights here in South Carolina, I am almost immediately bombarded with comments and messages about how my mother should have aborted me. Interesting rhetoric from people who are…pro-life?? However, since I’m no longer a fetus and have already been born, these people’s so-called “pro-life” stance doesn’t seem to apply anymore. At least not to me. Sooo, let me see if I get this right. What you’re saying is that she should have at least had a choice, right? I’m glad she didn’t abort me. But I’m also glad we can agree (I think??) that she should have at least had a choice.

Republicans are only “pro-life” up until children are born, that’s where they draw the line. You cannot claim to be pro-life if once a child is born you do not want to do things like feed a child, educate a child, provide healthcare for a child, and protect them from the leading cause of death for children, gun violence. Pro-life policies fail to address the complexities of pregnancy while also neglecting the societal supports needed to truly be pro-life. Hypocrisy at its finest.

A truly pro-life stance would prioritize comprehensive reproductive healthcare, access to contraception, maternal healthcare, and robust social safety nets for families. It would mean ensuring that every child born has access to food, education, healthcare, and a safe environment in which they can thrive.

Trump’s agenda has nothing to do with protecting life and everything to do with control. We need leaders who champion a more compassionate approach to reproductive rights and healthcare. We need leaders who respect women’s bodily autonomy while genuinely being pro-life, which means supporting children and families after they are born.