Donald Trump's stated fear about potential impeachment have given anti-abortion advocates leverage to ensure he maintains an uncompromising stance on abortion restrictions, new reporting suggests.
According to Politico reporters Alice Miranda Ollstein and Megan Messerly, the president's recent comments regarding government funding for abortion have alarmed anti-choice activists, who question whether Trump remains committed to their agenda.
Trump's fear of impeachment if Democrats regain House control has strengthened the anti-choice movement's negotiating position with the embattled president, according to the report.
"Trump’s recent revelation that he fears being impeached if Republicans lose the fall midterms has only strengthened abortion opponents’ belief that 2026 races can provide them powerful leverage to push the president to take their demands more seriously," they wrote.
Family Research Council President Tony Perkins warned of consequences if Trump wavers: "He'll be impeached, and every one of his Cabinet secretaries will be dragged in for committee hearings on every day that ends in Y, and the result will be nothing happens in the next two years. So there's a lot riding on this."
A specific concern for Perkins centers on Trump's suggestion that Republicans be "flexible" regarding the Hyde Amendment, which prohibits federal funding for abortion. This provision is being debated as part of potential Affordable Care Act extension discussions.
Perkins threatened political consequences: "This type of rhetoric runs the risk of moving this party from a majority party to a minority party. With elections being so close, you don't want people being frustrated or disappointed. You want people motivated."
Anti-abortion groups argue they possess significant influence over competitive House races that could determine congressional control for the remainder of Trump's term. They contend they could affect outcomes by halting door-knocking campaigns and reducing voter mobilization efforts.
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