Former President Donald J. Trump has pledged to collaborate with the Danbury Institute, a Christian coalition aiming to completely eliminate abortion in the United States. Speaking in a video address, Mr. Trump emphasized the need to unite in defense of values and freedom, vowing to stand alongside the organization. While he did not explicitly mention abortion, he assured that the group would experience a resurgence under a potential second Trump administration. He cautioned against voting for Democrats, asserting that they oppose religion, particularly targeting the beliefs of many individuals.
The Danbury Institute, which was convening in Indianapolis during the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting, staunchly opposes abortion under any circumstances, including cases of rape, incest, and endangerment to the mother’s life. The organization asserts that life commences at fertilization, a belief often used to advocate for limitations on certain fertility treatments and contraceptives.
During a panel preceding Mr. Trump’s address, supporters of the institute urged the antiabortion movement to extend their efforts by opposing ballot measures that would protect abortion rights in state constitutions. Prominent figures like Tom Ascol, a Southern Baptist preacher, emphasized the importance of pressuring legislators to prioritize religious beliefs and accountability to God.
In a notable moment before Mr. Trump’s speech, Al Mohler, the president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, advocated for Southern Baptists to issue a resolution against in vitro fertilization, marking a significant stance for the community. Mr. Trump has claimed credit for the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in 2022, pointing to the influence of the three justices he appointed. However, he has expressed reservations about endorsing a federal 15-week abortion ban and believes that decisions regarding abortion restrictions should be determined at the state level.
The Biden campaign swiftly criticized Mr. Trump’s engagement with the Danbury Institute, characterizing it as aligning with extreme antiabortion views that seek to eradicate abortion entirely. Campaign spokeswoman Sarafina Chitika highlighted the organization’s rhetoric and predicted that a second Trump term would lead to more stringent abortion bans without exceptions, likely alienating women voters. The issue of abortion rights is expected to be a key motivator for women voters in the upcoming election.
