Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis recently pledged to govern as a pro-life president if elected in the same manner he has governed Florida as a pro-life governor.
In a recent interview, DeSantis touted the heartbeat law he signed as governor that would protect babies with beating hearts from abortions.
He referred to the law as “the most significant pro-life protections that we’ve ever done in the state of Florida in the modern history” to make the case he’s “been a pro-life governor” and “will be a pro-life president” and will “come down on the side of life.”
The pro-life governor said he would take that pro-life agenda to the White House and talked specifics on the kinds of things he would do as president.
When it comes to his “running on the things I know I can accomplish,” DeSantis spoke to his plans as president to focus on other pro-life priorities, such as “end abortion tourism that is in the military,” which he called “an egregious waste of taxpayer dollars,” for there to be “no funding for abortion,” and “to ensure that the Supreme Court remains so that Dobbs is not overturned.
DeSantis also spoke to how “I’m going to be a leader with the bully pulpit to help local communities and states advance the cause of life,” adding “I really believe right now in our society it’s really a bottom-up movement, and we’ve had most success,” as he specifically mentioned Iowa, South Carolina, and Florida. “And I think you’re going to see a lot of battles there.”
As far as whether or not he would sign a pro-life law as governor, DeSantis appeared to indicate he thinks there is room for both states and Congress to pass laws protecting babies from abortions.
Upon being further prompted by Kelly who asked “so, you’re not in support of a federal law,” DeSantis responded that “I’ll always come down on the side of life,” adding “I’m proud to be pro-life and I’ll be a pro-life president.”
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Kelly asked why not make it a states’ rights issue, then.
“Well, clearly, the states have, I think the states have the primary jurisdiction over it,” DeSantis offered, which resulted in a back-and-forth between the two of them about whether having a federal law would mean that that would change. “I do think that there is a federal interest,” DeSantis explained, adding “I think that the reality is that the country is divided on it,” as he listed differences between states.
DeSantis Press Secretary Bryan Griffin also commented on his long pro-life record and how he would be a pro-life president.
“Governor DeSantis delivers results and acts, especially when it comes to protecting life. He did so in Florida by signing the heartbeat bill and will be a pro-life president. He does not kowtow to DC interest groups,” Griffin said. “This unjustified attack on him is another example of the DC political games that have seen conservatives falter in Washington while Governor DeSantis has produced unmatched conservative victories in Florida.”
