As President Donald Trump took office in January 2017, he quickly made headlines with a series of decisive actions that reflected his commitment to the pro-life movement. For advocates of life, the first week was marked by a series of gestures and policies that signaled a dramatic shift in the landscape of American abortion politics. While many articles focused on the broader implications of his presidency, it’s essential to highlight the pro-life stances and initiatives that characterized Trump’s initial days in office. 1. The Mexico City Policy Resurgence One of the most significant actions taken by Trump during his first week was the reinstatement of the Mexico City Policy. This policy prohibits U.S. federal funds from being used to support foreign non-governmental organizations that provide or promote abortions. By reinstating this policy, Trump affirmed his administration's commitment to protecting unborn lives both domestically and internationally.

2. Defunding Planned Parenthood Alongside the reactivation of the Mexico City Policy, Trump wasted no time in expressing support for legislative efforts aimed at defunding Planned Parenthood. During his campaign, he made it clear that he would work to cut federal funding for the organization, a move that aligns with the pro-life agenda of many conservative lawmakers and advocates.

3. Meeting with Pro-Life Leaders In his first week, Trump convened a meeting with key pro-life leaders and organizations. This gathering underscored his intention to prioritize life issues within his administration and his openness to guidance from those who have dedicated their careers to the pro-life movement.

4. Executive Actions on Abortion Services Trump took swift executive action to halt federal dollars from flowing to organizations that provide or promote abortion. This included a directive to ensure that federal Title X funds, which support family planning and health services, would not be used by any organization that offers abortion as a method of family planning.

5. Rolling Back Obamacare Mandates One of Trump’s early promises was to dismantle certain aspects of the Affordable Care Act, particularly the mandate that required employers to provide contraception, including some forms that may lead to abortion. His administration’s early actions included efforts to repeal this mandate, indicating his prioritization of pro-life values in healthcare.

6. Nominating Pro-Life Judges In his first days, Trump signaled his commitment to appointing judges who align with pro-life principles. This promise included selecting justices for the Supreme Court who would be likely to uphold laws restricting abortion access, thus potentially reshaping the legal landscape surrounding abortion for years to come.

7. Establishing the Presidential Pro-Life Coalition Shortly after his inauguration, Trump established the Presidential Pro-Life Coalition, assembling a group of advisers specifically devoted to advancing pro-life policies. This coalition would enable the administration to implement strategies and encourage collaboration among various pro-life organizations.

8. Leadership in the March for Life In a historic move, Trump became the first sitting president to address the March for Life via a live video link, reinforcing his support for the pro-life cause. His virtual presence at this national event underscored his commitment to advocating for the sanctity of human life and provided an inspirational message to millions of pro-life supporters.

9. Pardons Related to Pro-Life Issues Lastly, Trump utilized his executive powers to grant pardons and commutations to individuals whose cases involved pro-life sentiments, often framed around issues of self-defense and protection of unborn children. These pardons were emblematic of a broader framework within which he sought to protect individual rights and dignity, resonating profoundly with the pro-life ethos.