Vice President Mike Pence told March for Life attendees Friday that he had been asked by President Trump to speak at the annual abortion protest and pledged strong White House opposition to abortion.
“President Trump actually asked me to be here with you today,” Pence told the crowd gathered on the National Mall. “He asked me to thank you for your support, for your stand for life and for your compassion for the women and children of America.”
Pence is the first vice president ever to attend the event, which has been held every year since the Supreme Court legalized abortion in 1973. A longtime and prominent opponent of abortion, Pence told attendees he was “deeply humbled” by the chance to speak at the pre-march rally.
“It is the best day I’ve ever seen for the March for Life in more ways than one,” Pence said. “I’m deeply humbled to be the first vice president of the United States to ever have the privilege to attend.”
Pence got big cheers from the crowd when he listed a number of actions Trump has said he will take as president to fight against abortion, including signing a bill to defund Planned Parenthood and appointing an abortion-opposing justice to the Supreme Court.
“Life is winning in America,” Pence said.
Pence finished his speech by telling the audience to “be assured” of support from the White House.
“Along with you, we will not grow weary, we will not rest until we restore a culture of life in America for ourselves and our posterity,” Pence said.
