Vice President Mike Pence and second lady Karen Pence made a surprise visit to the March for Life Friday.
There were no administration officials listed as speakers or guests for the 46th annual March for Life, following a historic occasion last year when Pence attended the march and delivered a speech.
Jeanne Manchini, the president of the biggest anti-abortion demonstration in the U.S., said that she was even taken aback when the Pences arrived at the rally location on the National Mall, and the second lady said that it was a difficult secret to keep.
President Trump also delivered a surprise video address, like he did in 2018.
Most in the crowd expressed that they did not expect to see any administration officials present at the march and indicated that even if Pence and Trump did not get involved this year, they still know that there is support from the Trump administration.
In his speech, Pence, an evangelical Christian, assured attendants of the rally that the anti-abortion movement had an “ally” in him and a “champion” in Trump.
Pence went on to list some of the administration’s socially conservative policies, including reinstating the Mexico City policy, which helps block government money from going to nongovernmental organizations that provide abortion services, and appointing conservative judges.
[Opinion: The irreligious media should at least try to understand the traditionalist faithful public]
LIVE: VP Pence makes surprise appearance to speak at ‘March for Life’ in Washington, DC. https://t.co/z7xtchCJ6D
— NBC News (@NBCNews) January 18, 2019
The vice president is also scheduled to speak at the March for Life Rose Dinner Friday evening, which was previously known.
