Former President Donald Trump addressed evangelical Christian voters at the Faith & Freedom Coalition’s Road to Majority Policy Conference in Washington. He emphasized the importance of the federal government’s role in restricting abortion but did not specify any legislation he would support. Trump has avoided answering whether he would sign a federal abortion ban. The conference served as an opportunity for GOP presidential hopefuls to appeal to evangelical voters, who have significant influence in key primary states like Iowa and South Carolina. Trump highlighted his appointment of three Supreme Court justices who voted to overturn Roe v. Wade. This was Trump’s first in-person appearance at a 2024 presidential hopefuls gathering.
CNN—
Former President Donald Trump addressed evangelical Christian voters at a major gathering in Washington on Saturday, seeking to shore up their support as his legal troubles mount and rivals take aim at his character.
Trump told attendees at the Faith & Freedom Coalition’s Road to Majority Policy Conference that he believed there “remains a vital role” for the federal government in restricting abortion. But he did not specify what kind of federal legislation he would push for or support if he were president again.
Trump has repeatedly dodged the question of whether he would sign a federal abortion ban if it came to his desk, and, like many of his 2024 GOP rivals, he has struggled with how to navigate the politically fraught issue.
The Faith & Freedom conference kicked off a summer of “cattle calls” at which the GOP field will audition in front of key audiences ahead of the 2024 presidential primary. Most of Trump’s rivals spoke Friday, with several taking jabs, both direct and subtle, at the former president.
But Trump had the conference’s prime speaking spot, delivering what was billed as the keynote address. It was his first in-person appearance at a 2024 gathering of presidential hopefuls since announcing his candidacy. For previous events, such as Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst’s “Roast and Ride” earlier this month, Trump had appeared via video message.
The conference also provided a window into a critical constituency in the Republican nominating fight: evangelical voters. Those voters play an especially large role in the Iowa caucuses and South Carolina primary – the first and third contests on the 2024 GOP calendar.
Trump, speaking on the first anniversary of the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade, touted his appointment of three of the justices who voted with the majority to eliminate federal abortion protections.
“Exactly one year ago today, those justices were the pivotal votes in the Supreme Court’s landmark decision ending the constitutional atrocity known as Roe v. Wade,” he said.
Former President Donald Trump addressed evangelical Christian voters at a major gathering in Washington on Saturday, seeking to shore up their support as his legal troubles mount and rivals take aim at his character.
Trump told attendees at the Faith & Freedom Coalition’s Road to Majority Policy Conference that he believed there “remains a vital role” for the federal government in restricting abortion. But he did not specify what kind of federal legislation he would push for or support if he were president again.
Trump has repeatedly dodged the question of whether he would sign a federal abortion ban if it came to his desk, and, like many of his 2024 GOP rivals, he has struggled with how to navigate the politically fraught issue.
The Faith & Freedom conference kicked off a summer of “cattle calls” at which the GOP field will audition in front of key audiences ahead of the 2024 presidential primary. Most of Trump’s rivals spoke Friday, with several taking jabs, both direct and subtle, at the former president.
But Trump had the conference’s prime speaking spot, delivering what was billed as the keynote address. It was his first in-person appearance at a 2024 gathering of presidential hopefuls since announcing his candidacy. For previous events, such as Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst’s “Roast and Ride” earlier this month, Trump had appeared via video message.
The conference also provided a window into a critical constituency in the Republican nominating fight: evangelical voters. Those voters play an especially large role in the Iowa caucuses and South Carolina primary – the first and third contests on the 2024 GOP calendar.
Trump, speaking on the first anniversary of the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade, touted his appointment of three of the justices who voted with the majority to eliminate federal abortion protections.
“Exactly one year ago today, those justices were the pivotal votes in the Supreme Court’s landmark decision ending the constitutional atrocity known as Roe v. Wade,” he said.
