On November 5, 2024, Donald J. Trump achieved a historic comeback, winning the presidential election against Kamala Harris. Trump became only the second president in U.S. history, after Grover Cleveland, to serve non-consecutive terms. For those in the pro-life movement, this victory provides a renewed sense of hope and opportunity.
The 2024 election unfolded with a series of unprecedented events. During a debate on June 27 with then-incumbent Joe Biden, Biden’s struggling performance led some Democratic leaders to urge him to step down from the race. Just weeks later, on July 13, Trump narrowly survived an assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, and then again on September 15 in Florida. These events added momentum to his campaign and further galvanized his supporters.
On July 15, two days after the first attempt on his life, Trump was formally nominated by the Republican Party, though the GOP’s platform was notably more restrained on pro-life issues than in past years. The new platform condemned late-term abortion but lacked the specificity seen in prior platforms—a decision reportedly influenced by Trump himself.
Pressure on Biden to exit the race culminated in his withdrawal on July 21, making him the first incumbent to exit a presidential race post-primary. He endorsed Kamala Harris, who swiftly selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate. Walz had previously supported expanding abortion rights, which became a focal point of the Harris-Walz campaign and its pro-abortion advocacy.
Throughout the campaign, abortion remained a central topic. During the September 10 debate, Harris criticized Trump for his role in shaping the Supreme Court, which overturned Roe v. Wade. Trump, in turn, spotlighted the Democrats’ support for late-term abortion. Harris and her running mate promoted abortion rights aggressively, pledging to protect “reproductive freedom” and advocating against pro-life state laws, which Harris labeled a “health care crisis.”
Although the Trump campaign primarily emphasized issues beyond abortion, the topic surfaced repeatedly. Trump made clear he would veto any proposed national abortion ban. His wife, Melania Trump, further stirred debate with her memoir expressing support for a woman’s right to choose, arguing against the stigma around abortion.
Pro-life advocates faced mixed results in the 2024 election. Voters in Arizona, Colorado, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, and New York passed constitutional amendments expanding abortion access. In Nevada, a pro-abortion measure advanced but will require voter approval again in 2026 to become law. However, pro-life advocates scored victories in Florida, Nebraska, and South Dakota, where voters rejected pro-abortion referendums. Nebraska further solidified its pro-life stance by approving a 12-week protection law.
Despite these wins, the campaign revealed divisions within the GOP on abortion, as pro-life policies were viewed by some as politically risky. While Trump’s victory and anticipated GOP control of Congress provide some reprieve from prior administration policies, pro-life advocates may need to hold leaders accountable to ensure their commitment.
The election underscored a challenge: a significant portion of the nation remains supportive of abortion rights. The pro-life movement, however, demonstrated it still has influence in American politics. Moving forward, the movement must focus on changing public opinion, as decades under Roe have left a lasting impact on societal views.
In conclusion, while challenges remain, pro-life advocates are encouraged to press on, motivated by compassion for unborn children and support for their mothers and families. The path ahead is challenging, but each step taken is a stride toward a future that values every life.