Trump’s Remarks at March for Life
Last Friday, during the March for Life, President Trump emphasized his administration’s commitment to valuing “the infinite worth and God-given dignity of every human life.” Vice President JD Vance reinforced this message, stating the importance of “building a culture of life” and insisting that the country cannot remain indifferent about the well-being of future generations.
While their focus was primarily on unborn children, their statements reflect a broader commitment to safeguarding the lives of all citizens, particularly those who are most vulnerable.
The FDA has enacted policies that seem to hinder both born and unborn children from leading fulfilling lives.
Sadly, these ideals have been compromised by actions from several officials within the Food and Drug Administration. Under FDA Commissioner Marty McCulley and Chief Medical Officer Vinay Prasad, essential treatments for many children with rare diseases have faced significant delays or even cancellations since last summer.
As someone who has lived with spina bifida for nearly 60 years, I see firsthand how crucial it is to ensure access to treatments that can improve or extend the lives of children facing rare and serious diseases. During my time as the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services’ Bureau of Disabilities in the first Trump administration, I carried this understanding with me. Now, I am extremely worried about the impact of decisions made by McCulley and Prasad, as well as, at times, Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., which seem to undermine the ability of children to live out their God-given lives.
This tension prompted me to raise concerns during RFK Jr.’s Senate hearing last year. Though he publicly supported abortion during his presidential campaign, I and other pro-life advocates were convinced he had an anti-abortion circle surrounding him, leading many to believe these policies would be supported. In truth, a policy emerged, but it’s far from what we had hoped. At present, the FDA has a set of policies that make it more difficult for both born and unborn children to live their deserved lives.
Last October, the FDA’s decision to approve a generic version of mifepristone, a widely used abortion pill, frustrated advocates for pro-life causes nationwide. With these medications shipped directly to women, it’s become easier to terminate pregnancies in their own homes. The pro-abortion Guttmacher Institute estimates that approximately 640,000 chemical abortions occurred in 2023, representing about 63% of all abortions that year.
This statistic alone is alarming, but it fails to capture the potential dangers these drugs pose to their users. From my advocacy for individuals with disabilities, I have learned that abortion pills can especially endanger women who use wheelchairs or have limited mobility. Blood clot-triggering medications can prove perilous for those who struggle to move easily.
Dr. Vinay Prasad’s appointment has raised further concerns for those of us committed to saving lives. Since taking office in mid-2025, he has not only championed legalized abortion but has also delayed vital drug production and treatments for children suffering from rare diseases, including Sanfilippo syndrome and Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Back in 2018, Prasad opposed President Trump’s “right to try” initiative, which had helped hundreds of patients discover unexpected improvements from experimental drugs and off-label uses. That number might have surged even more if Prasad’s administration had not filled effective medications with bureaucratic delays.
At the Department of Health and Human Services, budgets may ultimately rest with RFK Jr. Yet, it all traces back to the Oval Office. On Friday, Trump and Vance reaffirmed their commitment to supporting lives, but that promise needs to extend consistently across the administration. The FDA’s current stance on fetuses and children with disabilities puts at risk the pro-life legacy that President Trump seeks to build.
In essence, HHS and FDA officials ought to be prioritizing the protection of lives rather than undermining them. Vance and Trump have the opportunity to change this narrative.
