'We shouldn't have government involved'

Publish date: 2024-05-26

Independent presidential candidate Robert Kennedy Jr. said Friday he opposes government abortion limits and would want to allow an abortion “even if it’s full term.”

The comment represents the latest political maneuver on abortion by a presidential candidate. Former President Donald Trump issued a statement in April defining his stance on the issue and decrying those who enforce full term abortions.

The Democrats or the radical ones are in this position because they support abortion up to and even beyond the ninth month,” Trump said. “The concept of having an abortion in the later months and even execution after the birth, and that's exactly what it is, the baby is born, the baby is executed after birth is unacceptable."

Kennedy took a markedly different stance Friday, telling former ESPN host Sage Steele he wants the federal government to permit abortion at all stages of development.

“I wouldn’t leave it to the states,” he said. “I believe we should leave it to the woman, we shouldn’t have government involved.”

“Even if it’s full term,” he added after being prompted by Steele.

Former White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany decried the stance via X.

“This is outrageous,” McEnany said. “How can you say such a thing? Not only is this a morally indefensible position, it is VASTLY out of step with Americans. Just 22% think abortion ‘should be available any time during a pregnancy.’ (NPR, 4/19/23) Who is he trying to win here?”

“I am pro life,” Jesuit priest James Martin said. “I can also understand that people of goodwill can have differences over when life begins. But surely people of goodwill can see that this is monstrous.”

Follow Jackson Walker on X at @_jlwalker_ for the latest trending national news. Have a news tip? Send it to jacwalker@sbgtv.com.

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