Yesterday, I joined fellow pro-life women leaders including Jenifer Bowen of Iowa Right to Life, Penny Nance and Beverly LaHaye of Concerned Women for America, and Star Parker, to urge Republican caucus-goers and voters in Iowa to support anyone but Donald Trump.

Why?

Because on the issue of defending unborn children and protecting women from the violence of abortion, Mr. Trump cannot be trusted. There is, thankfully, an abundance of alternative candidates with proven records of pro-life leadership whom pro-life voters can support.

We did not come to this conclusion lightly. Our aim is advance the strongest possible pro-life candidate who will stand up for women and children. Therefore we have, for months, been actively engaged, meeting and talking with the candidates and listening to what they have to say about the right to life. This announcement comes after having listened patiently to numerous debates and news reports, but most importantly to Donald Trump’s own words.

Our letter explains:

The next president will be responsible for as many as four nominations to the Supreme Court. Mr. Trump has given us only one indication about the type of judges he would appoint, and it does not bode well for those who would like to see the court overturn Roe v. Wade. Mr. Trump has said his sister, Judge Maryanne Trump Barry, who struck down the Partial Birth Abortion Ban in New Jersey, would be a “phenomenal” choice for the court.  Earlier this month, Mr. Trump also said he thought pro-choice Senator Scott Brown would make a “very good” Vice President. If one truly believes, as we do, that abortion is the taking of an innocent human life and is committed to the pro-life priorities of ending abortion after five months, and defunding the nation’s largest abortion business, Planned Parenthood, it would be a disaster to have a vice president who disagrees. 

Moreover, as women, we are disgusted by Mr. Trump’s treatment of individuals, women, in particular.  He has impugned the dignity of women, most notably Megyn Kelly, he mocked and bullied Carly Fiorina, and has through the years made disparaging public comments to and about many women. Further, Mr. Trump has profited from the exploitation of women in his Atlantic City casino hotel which boasted of the first strip club casino in the country.

America will only be a great nation when we have leaders of strong character who will defend both unborn children and the dignity of women. We cannot trust Donald Trump to do either. Therefore we urge our fellow citizens to support an alternative candidate.

Marjorie Dannenfelser is the president of the Susan B. Anthony List, a national pro-life organization dedicated to electing leaders and advancing legislation to reduce and ultimately end abortion.