Trump abortion comments spark outrage on both sides
Donald Trump drew a wave of immediate rebukes from abortion rights advocates and opponents Wednesday after saying that women should face "some form" of punishment for abortion should the procedure be made illegal in the U.S.
Trump later issued a statement clarifying his position, saying that, if abortion is banned, "the doctor or any other person performing this illegal act upon a woman would be held legally responsible, not the woman."
But that was after his earlier comments sparked widespread outrage, bringing about what is rarely seen in American politics: advocates on both sides of a hot-button issue vehemently denouncing the same remarks.
“Mr. Trump’s comment today is completely out of touch with the pro-life movement and even more with women who have chosen such a sad thing as abortion,” said Jeanne Mancini, president of the March for Life Education and Defense Fund. “No pro-lifer would ever want to punish a woman who has chosen abortion. This is against the very nature of what we are about. We invite a woman who has gone down this route to consider paths to healing, not punishment.''
Ken Blackwell, senior fellow at the Family Research Council, said Trump's comments underscored the candidate's "lack of any in-depth of involvement with the pro-life movement.''
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"We have always considered the baby and mother as victims in abortion,'' Blackwell said. "He (Trump) has been all over the map on issues of principle. He has established a pattern that is indicative of his inexperience.''
Pro-choice NARAL also took aim at Trump, saying the candidate had "hit a new low.''
"Not only is this an unhinged position far from where the American people are, but it is sure to endanger women were he to become president,'' the group said in a written statement.
Trump made his statement in an interview with MSNBC's Chris Matthews, declaring himself "pro-life.''
Trump backs off call to punish women for abortions if they're banned
Pressed on whether punishment should accompany any law outlawing abortion, Trump said: "The answer is that there has to be some form of punishment.''
"For the woman?'' Matthews asked.
"Yes, there has to be some form,'' Trump replied.
As the criticism rained down, the Trump campaign issued a statement from the candidate completely reversing his earlier remarks.
Trump's Republican opponents pounced on the front-runner's initial statements, suggesting Trump was out of touch.
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, Trump's main rival for the GOP nomination, said in a statement that "Once again Donald Trump has demonstrated that he hasn’t seriously thought through the issues, and he’ll say anything just to get attention."
Ohio Gov. John Kasich also slammed the New York billionaire, predicting that Trump wouldn't maintain his position amid the controversy.
“Probably Donald Trump will figure out a way to say he didn’t say it, or he was misquoted, or whatever,” Kasich told MSNBC.