The discussion surrounding abortion rights has consistently been a key issue in American politics.

It was the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in 2022 that forced politicians to confront what it would mean if states had the authority to decide these matters for themselves. This election cycle marked a moment to assess the effects of this change on presidential campaigns.

Pro-life advocates managed to defeat three abortion-related ballot initiatives on Election Day aimed at securing abortion access in Florida, Nebraska, and South Dakota. While these victories were notable for the movement, the larger 2024 election landscape was highly disappointing for pro-life supporters as conservative leaders distanced themselves from our cause.

The Republican Party has made significant efforts to remove abortion from the national political conversation, and the unfortunate reality for pro-life advocates is that the GOP’s electoral success stemmed from their abandonment of pro-life principles.

GOP’s shift on abortion yielded benefits for Trump’s campaign

During Trump’s reelection bid, the GOP exhibited a rare moment of moderation regarding abortion. He promised to veto any national abortion ban and expressed the belief that such matters are better left to state jurisdictions.

Despite the claims from progressive activists characterizing Trump as a staunch anti-abortion advocate, his position is actually quite moderate and reflects a viewpoint shared by many Americans.

Since 2020, public sentiment regarding abortion has increasingly favored its legality, as demonstrated by various state ballot measures. From 2022 to 2024, the pro-life movement faced a series of setbacks in several states.

Trump has a history of shifting his policy views, especially evident in his approach to abortion. I believe he lacks a steadfast commitment to this issue and often follows the course he thinks will lead to electoral success, taking Republicans along on that uncertain journey.

In crafting the GOP platform for 2024, largely inspired by Trump’s influence, the party relinquished many of the foundational pro-life tenets of its history, opting only to state their “opposition to Late Term Abortion,” a stance that resonates with a majority of Americans.

Previously, the Republican agenda advocated for an outright national abortion ban, which has now become politically toxic.

Trump’s victory in the presidential race provides little incentive for the GOP to revert to a more traditional, conservative position on abortion.

Trump gained favor with voters on abortion issues in 2024

Even with Democratic narratives labelling Trump as a fiercely pro-life candidate, voters did not share this belief.

A CNN analysis revealed that abortion wasn’t the significant triumph for Vice President Kamala Harris that many progressives anticipated. Trump performed well among voters who believe abortion should be legally permissible in most situations.

One reason for this support could be that as time progresses since the Supreme Court’s ruling, abortion matters less to voters compared to other issues, notably the economy.

American voters do not view Trump as a hardline pro-life candidate, even if they assign him some responsibility for the overturning of Roe v. Wade. This indicates that voters distrust the Democrats’ assertions that he would enact a national abortion ban.

Pro-life supporters shouldn’t expect much assistance from the GOP in the future

For pro-lifers like me, advocating for a national ban to affirm that life begins in the womb, it has become clear that the Republican Party no longer stands by us in this struggle, and that the pro-life cause is a losing proposition for many in the GOP.

The issue of human rights surrounding abortion is likely to remain a low priority for the GOP as long as the electorate continues to reward their departure from pro-life positions. Republican politicians and strategists are likely to prioritize votes over the core issue of the right to life.

To regain support, pro-life activists will need to shift public attitudes towards abortion, which is proving increasingly difficult without political backing. We can no longer expect federal solutions and must concentrate our efforts at local and state levels, where meaningful changes can still occur, and discussions are actively taking place.