Donald Trump has tried to distance himself from Project 2025, a conservative playbook for a new Trump administration that includes hard-line anti-abortion proposals. Despite Trump’s claims of the platform going “way too far” on abortion, his selection of Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance as his running mate indicates otherwise. Vance, known for his strong opposition to abortion, aligns with Project 2025’s anti-abortion agenda, making it challenging for the Trump campaign to separate itself from these proposals.
Fetuses and the 14th Amendment
The GOP platform has historically been focused on anti-abortion proposals, including appointing Supreme Court justices to overturn Roe v. Wade and enacting a national ban on abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy. The recent platform suggests that fetuses and embryos already have full constitutional rights, aligning closely with Project 2025’s roadmap and Vance’s views.
The platform’s reference to the 14th Amendment guarantees that no person can be denied life or liberty without due process, implying that fetuses have constitutional rights. This shift in language from previous platforms indicates a stronger stance on abortion rights within the GOP.
Trump-Vance on Project 2025 and Abortion
The Trump campaign has attempted to distance itself from Project 2025, but the selection of Vance as the running mate suggests otherwise. Vance’s ties to the conservative social group Teneo Network, which is part of the Project 2025 advisory board, indicate his alignment with the anti-abortion agenda outlined in the playbook.
Project 2025 proposes using federal regulatory processes to restrict abortion, including invoking the Comstock Act to enforce criminal prohibitions against providers and distributors of abortion pills. The playbook outlines a strategy to create a backdoor national abortion ban without passing new legislation.
Vance’s public statements and past actions support his anti-abortion views, including praising Texas S.B. 8, which restricts abortions as early as six weeks. His alignment with Project 2025 and the GOP platform underscores his commitment to protecting the rights of fetuses and embryos.
In conclusion, the selection of J.D. Vance as Trump’s running mate highlights the strong anti-abortion stance within the Republican Party. Despite attempts to distance themselves from Project 2025, the alignment of Vance’s views with the playbook’s proposals indicates a unified approach to restricting abortion rights at the federal level. The GOP’s shift towards recognizing fetal personhood and constitutional rights underscores a significant change in their stance on abortion issues.