United States – North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, considered one of the possible vice presidential candidates for the ex-president, claimed in the interview that he had changed over the years since he stated that women were endangered before the decision in the Roe v. Wade case.
Evolved Position
During an interview with NBC News’s ‘Meet the Press,’ anchor Kristen Welker wanted to question Burgum regarding a clip from one of his speeches where, during the 2016 gubernatorial campaign, Burgum seemed to worry about outlawing abortions, as reported by The Hills.
Background
“When you outlaw the ability to terminate pregnancies and make it illegal, it just makes it unsafe for some of the most vulnerable people in the world — young women who are scared, who are afraid, who are in a spot, you know, that they don’t want to be in,” Burgum said in the clip from 2016. “America was an unsafe place for women before Roe v. Wade.”
Burgum, who on Sunday said that his position has evolved on the matter — the Supreme Court gutted the constitutional right to abortions two years ago — attempted to get in line with the former president’s stance on abortion.
Welker then with this question, “So, governor, according to your own argument, is America unsafe for women due to the overturning of Roe?”
“No, it’s not,” Burgum replied. “And, of course, this is something that should have been returned to the States.”
“Let’s be clear: that was a comment from over eight years ago. And certainly, I’ve evolved in that position,” he said, further stating that he now supports that laws regarding abortion should be left for states to decide on.
“And I have been clear that I’m opposed to a federal abortion ban. I’m aligned with President Trump on that, and this is something that has to be left to the states,” Burgum said.
Addressing Concerns
Burgum brushed aside a question on whether his stand has changed now that he wants to be the vice president of Trump but insisted that the variation that exists is in the kind of maternal care that is offered, as reported by The Hills.
“Not at all,” Burgum said, on whether his evolution is linked to his VP prospects. “I think you know, and everybody else knows, that care has evolved during that period of time. And I think that we can accomplish both of those goals. We can make sure that we’re protecting and honoring life but making sure we’re also delivering against maternal care. And that’s going to be handled best at a state-by-state level.”