‘Life is a gift’: Vance addresses March for Life, vows White House is ‘ally’ to pro-life cause

“You have an ally in the White House.”

Vice President J.D. Vance delivered that resounding message Friday to thousands of pro-lifers who flooded Washington, D.C., for the 53rd annual March for Life, their signs declaring “Choose life” and “Freedom for unborn babies.”  

Church groups, students bundled in winter coats, families with children in tow, lawmakers, and advocacy organizations from across the country packed the National Mall for a “Life is a Gift” themed rally before streaming through the streets of the nation’s capital to demand protections for unborn babies. 

Addressing the marchers, Vance walked a careful line Friday, crediting the administration’s pro-life achievements while directly acknowledging frustrations from pro-lifers who argue it hasn’t gone far enough or fast enough.  

Among the pro-life wins Vance touted were ending religious censorship, expanding conscience protections for healthcare workers, defending faith-based foster care and adoption, and acting this week to stop Illinois from forcing healthcare providers to make abortion referrals.  

The Trump administration also has worked to undo “evils we saw under the previous administration,” he said, including ending prosecutions of pro-lifers praying outside of abortion clinics. The administration has launched fraud investigations into Planned Parenthood affiliates, he noted, and has banned the use of fetal tissue in federal research in many departments.  

Vance took a moment to thank God for the blessing of his own growing family, as he and Second Lady Usha Vance announced this week they are expecting their fourth baby. That personal news reflected his broader message: Part of a pro-life policy agenda includes making family life desirable and affordable. He pointed to “Trump accounts” for newborns, expanded child tax credits, and measures to restore homeownership for young American families as subtle, but distinct ways to embrace a pro-life culture. 

Vance also announced a “historic expansion” of the Mexico City policy: “We’re going to start blocking every international NGO that performs or promotes abortion abroad from receiving $1 of U.S. money,” he said. “Now we’re expanding this policy to protect life, to combat DEI and the radical gender ideologies that prey on our children.” 

Despite the wins, Vance addressed what he called the “elephant in the room,” noting concerns from the movement that “not enough progress has been made.” 

“I want you to know that I hear you and that I understand. There will inevitably be debates within this movement. We love each other, but we’re going to have open conversations about how best to use our political system to advance life,” he said, noting that such debates were good and help “keep people like me honest.”  

He added that while there is much work ahead, there have been “tremendous strides” made in recent years. 

“I’d ask you to look where the fight for life stood just one decade ago,” he said. “And now look where it stands today.” 

President Donald Trump addressed the crowd through a video message, where he thanked marchers for defending the “infinite worth and God-given dignity of every human life.”  

He credited his administration with making “unprecedented strides to protect innocent life and support the institution of the family like never before,” including appointing constitutionalist justices that overturned Roe v. Wade, sending the abortion issue back to the states. 

“With your help and support, we will continue to fight at the eternal truth that every child is a gift from God,” Trump said. 

The Lion witnessed a number of congressional lawmakers at the rally, including Speaker Mike Johnson, and Reps. Tim Walberg, Andy Harris, Andrew Clyde and John McGuire, among others.  

Photo credit: Vice President JD Vance (via X)