Vice President Pence used the language of President Trump when he fired up the March for Life crowd on Friday.
“Life is winning in America,” Pence said. He told antiabortion advocates that Trump asked him to be there and that they will push forward policies they seek, including defunding Planned Parenthood. “We’re in the promise-keeping business,” he said.
He urged the need for antiabortion advocates to care for women who face unplanned pregnancies.
“Compassion is overcoming convenience and hope is defeating despair,” Pence said. His language was a departure from how Trump has talked about abortion in the past.
Last year, Trump, who has been both a supporter and an opponent of abortion laws, said that there had to be “some form of punishment” for women who have abortion. During the campaign, Pence later said he disagreed with Trump’s statement.
“Let your gentleness be evident to all,” he said on Friday, urging “generosity not judgment.” “Let this movement be known for love, not anger. Let this movement be known for compassion, not confrontation. When it comes to matters of the heart, there is nothing stronger than gentleness. I believe we will win the hearts and minds of the rising generations if our hearts first break for mothers and their unborn children.”
March for Life demonstrators erupted after Karen Pence introduced her husband, saying their family has been to many marches over the past 16 years.