This week presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump was on the O’Reilly Factor. Bill O’Reilly asked Trump a question from a viewer who wanted to know what Trump was going to do to address the abortion issue. Watch below:
Here is the pertinent transcript.
Bill O’Reilly: I have a question from a viewer. … ‘Donald Trump says he’s pro-life. Please ask him to name one specific thing he would do to protect the sanctity of human life.’ Can you?
Donald Trump: Well, I think that what we’re doing — and I think it’s a very important element in what I’ve done — I’ve become pro-life. I was, in a meek fashion, pro-choice, but I’ve become pro-life. And the reason is I’ve seen, in my case one specific situation, but numerous situations that have made me go that way. I will protect it, and the biggest way you can protect it is through the Supreme Court and putting people on the Court — and actually the biggest way you can protect it, I guess, is by electing me President.
O’Reilly: Alright, so you’re going to get a judge who would overturn Roe v. Wade? That’s the specific thing you would do?
Trump: Well, overturn, or — overturn — look, I’m going to put conservative judges on. I think one of the biggest things happening in terms of this election are — you know, it could be that as many as five judges will be appointed over the next four-and-a-half years. So we’re talking about five judges, and I think probably the most important thing that — one of the most important things other than the security itself of the country is going to be the appointment of four to five Supreme Court justices, and I’ll be doing that.
O’Reilly: Alright, so let me just get this straight so Diane’s question is answered. Your specific thing to protect the sanctity of life would be appointing a Supreme Court justice that would overturn Roe v. Wade. Do I have it?
Trump: Well they’ll be pro-life, and we’ll see about overturning, but they will be — I will appoint judges that will be pro-life, yes.
Danny Cannon at The Pulse 2016 pointed out that Trump’s statement is “is in stark contrast to Hillary Clinton, who has consistently stated that she will only appoint justices who see Roe v. Wade as ‘settled law.'”
That’s true, it is. His current rhetoric is in stark contrast with Hillary Clinton. His overall record is not.
First, I want to say that if Donald Trump is elected president I sincerely hope that he will do this. I hope he keeps a number of his good promises. I will be delightfully surprised, and if he does this along with governing effectively he could earn my vote for a 2nd term.
That said, I have a question for Trump supporters. Why should I believe him? Why should I believe a guy who praises Planned Parenthood, has supported abortion rights for decades prior to proclaiming himself prolife, without describing any kind of epiphany that led to this change I might add. Why should I believe the guy who says it should remain legal to abort children conceived in rape will keep his word in appointing pro-life justices.
If you listen to his interview above he said, “we’ll see about overturning” Roe v. Wade. If these justices are unwilling to do that what good are they?
Why should I believe the presidential candidate for whom lying comes as easy as breathing?
