Mike Pence Says Trump Admin Doing 'Same Thing' Biden Did
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President Donald Trump's former Vice President Mike Pence is taking a swipe at his second administration for doing "the same thing" the Biden administration did regarding the abortion pill.
Newsweek reached out to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Pence via his organization Advancing American Freedom on Friday.
Why It Matters
The abortion pill, Mifepristone, has been at the center of legal battles spanning administrations and even reaching the Supreme Court.
Pence, a staunch conservative and Christian, has fervently opposed abortion.
What To Know
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, on Friday, the former vice president reacted to FDA Commissioner Marty Makary saying that there are no current plans to take action on the pill.
Pence said, "The Trump Administration's @US_FDA has 'No Plans Take Action' on the Abortion Pill? The Biden Administration did the same thing. (See Thread."
Pence then shared an article calling out the Biden administration in October for their role in approving the abortion pill and not disclosing internal communications that led to that decision.
While speaking at the Semafor World Economy Summit on Thursday, Makary said the FDA has "no plans to take action" against the pill but added that "There is an ongoing set of data that is coming into the FDA on mifepristone."
"So if the data suggests something or tells us that there's a real signal, we can't promise we're not going to act on that data."
Republican Senator Josh Hawley rebuked the remarks of Makary, too, saying on X on Thursday, "This is exceptionally disappointing, to say the least. Not a good beginning at the FDA."
The FDA labels Mifepristone safe to use on their website.
"The FDA approved Mifeprex more than 20 years ago based on a thorough and comprehensive review of the scientific evidence presented and determined that it was safe and effective for its indicated use. As of 2016, it is approved for use for medical termination of pregnancy up to 70 days of gestation," the FDA says.
President Joe Biden's administration expanded access to the pill to also include numerous pharmacies.
Former Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence is seen delivering remarks at the Faith and Freedom Road to Majority conference at the Washington Hilton on June 23, 2023, in Washington,...
Former Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence is seen delivering remarks at the Faith and Freedom Road to Majority conference at the Washington Hilton on June 23, 2023, in Washington, D.C. (Photo by) More
What People Are Saying
Conservative Christian activist Tony Perkins on X on Friday reacting to Makary's remarks: "As long as the federal govt allows deadly abortion pills to be sent through the mail the pro-life laws of the States are almost meaningless, and women and their unborn children will continue to be harmed by this dangerous drug. The FDA needs to change the Biden policy."
Perkins continued, "Mifepristone has never been subject to a thorough review—even during the approval process. I urge FDA Commissioner Dr. Makary to examine all the data and ban Mifepristone. The independent data indicates serious risk regarding the abortion pill."
Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, a Massachusetts Democrat, on X in 2023: "Anti-abortion extremists are suing to ban abortion pills nationwide.Let's be clear: medication abortion is safe & effective, and it must be protected at all costs."
Vivek Ramaswamy on X in October: "Democrats are frustrated by the fact that Trump is opposed to a federal abortion ban. Now, they're trying to manufacture a flip-flop about the Florida ballot measure when there isn't one. The truth is, they badly wish Trump were more of a hardliner on abortion than he actually is."
What Happens Next
It is immediately unclear if the FDA will ultimately review the pill with intent to change access.
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