In Mostly Symbolic Gesture, Trump Administration Criticizes California’s Defunct Crisis Pregnancy Center Law
The announcement from HHS' Conscience and Religious Freedom Division that California violated workers' protections with its law that's already been blocked by courts came on the day thousands of antiabortion advocates gathered for the annual March for Life.
The Washington Post:
Trump Administration Hammers California Over Defunct Crisis Pregnancy Center Law Before March For Life Rally
As thousands of activists gathered for the country’s largest antiabortion rally on Friday, the Trump administration announced the first enforcement action by its year-old Conscience and Religious Freedom Division — a finding that the state of California violated federal conscience protections. The action appeared symbolic, since the state law requiring crisis pregnancy centers to provide women with information on how to access free and low-cost abortion services was blocked by the U.S. Supreme Court in a 5-to-4 ruling in June. Its announcement came as the administration made a series of overtures to antiabortion activists to promote its track record of advancing anti-abortion judges and regulations and expanding protections for doctors, nurses and others opposed to providing such services. (Johnson, 1/18)
The Associated Press:
Trump Promises March For Life Crowd That He Stands With Them
President Donald Trump sought to assure opponents of abortion rights on Friday that he stands with them and would veto any legislation from a Democratic-controlled House that "weakens the protection of human life." Trump spoke via video to participants at this year's March for Life on the National Mall. Thousands of people across the country braved the cold to attend the event. "As president, I will always defend the first right in our Declaration of Independence, the right to life," Trump said. (1/18)