Originally Authored at TheFederalist.com
On Thursday, former President Donald Trump generated a firestorm of controversy in pro-life political circles.
During an NBC News interview, he was asked about Florida’s Amendment 4. This ballot proposition would place a right to abortion in Florida’s Constitution and overturn Florida’s current law that protects preborn children after six weeks gestation. In response, Trump stated, “I think the six-week is too short. There has to be more time.” Many interpreted his comments to mean he would vote in favor of Amendment 4.
Unsurprisingly, the Trump campaign went into spin mode. The campaign quickly sent out a press release that stated, “President Trump has not yet said how he will vote on the ballot initiative in Florida, he simply reiterated that he believes six weeks is too short.” Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America also sent out a press release stating that Trump had a conversation with its president, Marjorie Dannenfelser, in which he indicated that he has not committed to how he will vote on Amendment 4.
Lately, many pro-lifers have been frustrated with Trump because he has offered them precious little in terms of commitments on abortion policy. However, this exchange gives Trump the unique opportunity to regain the trust of pro-lifers and provide some valuable assistance in our efforts to defeat Amendment 4.
Even if Trump does not want to publicly oppose Amendment 4, he could still raise concerns about the ballot question. Specifically, he could say he is concerned that Amendment 4 would 1) legalize abortion throughout all nine months of pregnancy, 2) repeal Florida’s pro-life parental consent law, and 3) possibly require taxpayer funding of elective abortion.
A statement by Trump publicly raising concerns about the radical implications of Amendment 4 would be very beneficial. In other direct democracy campaigns, corporate media outlets have worked overtime to downplay concerns that abortion amendments would strike down common-sense pro-life laws. However, a public statement by Trump would broadcast our strongest and most popular arguments to a wide audience. It would put our opponents on the defensive. During follow-up coverage, pro-lifers could reference other states and discuss how Ohio’s abortion amendment has blocked the enforcement of a 24-hour waiting period.
Overall, the campaign over Amendment 4 is the most important statewide election for pro-lifers in 2024. Since constitutional amendments need 60 percent of the vote to pass in Florida, a pro-life victory is within reach. Furthermore, considering Florida’s large population and relatively high abortion rate, literally thousands of lives are at stake.
By simply raising concerns about the full implications of Amendment 4, Trump could win back the support of some skeptical pro-life voters. More importantly, he would be performing a valuable service for pro-lifers in Florida and across the country.
Michael J. New is an Assistant Professor of Practice at Busch School
of Business at The Catholic University of America and a Senior
Associate Scholar at the Charlotte Lozier Institute. Follow him on
Twitter @Michael_J_New.