Cecile Richards on Donald Trump’s Victory: “I Think Roe v. Wade Was on the Ballot” and We Lost

National   |   Micaiah Bilger   |   Nov 14, 2016   |   11:33AM   |   Washington, DC

It perhaps is an understatement to say that election night did not well for abortion activists.

Planned Parenthood and other pro-abortion groups spent tens of millions of dollars on the election, but their massive spending did not succeed in convincing Americans to support the extreme pro-abortion policies of Hillary Clinton and others.

Now, they are planning their defense. On Wednesday, Planned Parenthood CEO Cecile Richards told MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow that they are getting ready to fight for a U.S. Supreme Court nominee who supports abortion.

A lot is at stake with the U.S. Supreme Court. One seat currently is open, and several others could come open under President-elect Donald Trump’s term.

Richards said she fears that Roe v. Wade and abortion on demand are at risk because of Trump’s promises to appoint “pro-life” justices.

“… I think that Roe vs. Wade was on the ballot in this election,” Richards told MSNBC, as transcribed by CNS News. “I know that Mr. Trump has said that in his acceptance speech that he was going to govern for all Americans – not just ones that voted for him – and I hope that includes women.

“If he is going to govern and represent all Americans this is a right, the right to safe and legal abortion is a right women have had in this country for more than 40 years and it is supported by people of all parties, so it is important and we will absolutely be fighting for a justice of the Supreme Court who supports this right for women.”

Oddly, Richards also mentioned that people “have been dropping off baked goods” at their facilities after the election to show their support for Planned Parenthood.

SIGN THE PETITION! Congress Must De-Fund Planned Parenthood Immediately

Trump promised to appoint the kinds of judges to the Supreme Court that would please pro-life voters. Prior to the election, he released two separate lists of potential Supreme Court nominees, both of which went over well with pro-life voters and organizations. Leading pro-life groups will undoubtedly hold Trump’s feet to the fire as he will take office with the ability to already appoint one member of the Supreme Court following the death of pro-life Justice Antonin Scalia.

“We are going to appoint great Supreme Court justices… These will be justices of great intellect… And they will be pro-life,” Trump told pro-life leaders in June.

Over the weekend, Trump reiterated his promise to appoint “pro-life” judges during an interview with 60 Minutes. However, he did not directly say whether the judges would overturn Roe v. Wade.

cecilerichards31