Burgum’s Hardline Abortion Ban Appears to Have Cost Him the VP Spot

(UnitedVoice.com) – The Republican National Convention (RNC) is underway in Milwaukee. Former President Donald Trump finally announced his choice of a running mate — Ohio Senator J.D. Vance. For one man, his aspiration to serve as vice president ended, and the former POTUS blamed his pro-life stance.

On July 10, Trump appeared on Fox News Radio to discuss his process for choosing a vice presidential candidate. He explained that although North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum (R) was once at the top of his list, his state’s abortion ban got in the way.

Trump explained it was a “bit of an issue” because the near-total ban was “pretty strong.” He said that he thought the governor was “great,” but he took a “very strong stance” against abortions.

North Dakota has banned all abortions unless the mother’s life is at risk. It has a rape and incest exception, too, but only up to six weeks before most women know they are pregnant.

The former president has repeatedly told Republicans that he’s pro-life, but he believes the near-total bans are hurting the party. He previously refused to support a national ban because he said that saying he wanted one could hurt his chances of being elected. After the red wave failed to materialize in 2022, Trump blamed the GOP’s hardline abortion rhetoric for the losses. He argued that candidates should learn to highlight far-left Democratic policies rather than focusing so much on the abortion issue.

Ahead of the RNC, the Republican National Committee laid out its new policy platform, which included toning down the pro-life rhetoric. For the first time in 40 years, the party omitted an explicit call for a nationwide abortion ban in its platform. However, the policy document stuck to the GOP’s longstanding belief that the rights guaranteed in the Constitution also extend to fetuses. The fetal personhood declaration has been included in the party’s policy language since 1984.

Trump previously said, “We do have to hold on to office, we do have to win,” saying Republicans need to learn how to explain the issue “properly.” Apparently, Burgum never learned that lesson.