United States President Donald Trump has issued pardons for 23 anti-abortion activists, including individuals convicted of blockading reproductive health clinics and intimidating staff and patients. The announcement came as part of a series of executive orders signed on Thursday.
While signing the pardons, President Trump described the convictions as unjust, stating, “They should not have been prosecuted. Many of them are elderly people. This is a great honor to sign this. They’ll be very happy.” He further criticized the legal actions against the activists, calling them “ridiculous.”
The decision has drawn sharp reactions from abortion rights advocates, who view the move as evidence of the president’s strong opposition to abortion access.
The pardons come just one day before the annual March for Life rally in Washington, D.C., where anti-abortion protesters are set to gather. President Trump is scheduled to address the event via videolink, underscoring his administration’s continued support for the anti-abortion movement.
The pardons have sparked renewed debate over reproductive rights in the United States, with critics warning that such actions could embolden further confrontational tactics by activists.
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