DeSantis says Trump 'soft' on abortion for opposing heartbeat bills

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) came out with another attack on former President Donald Trump on the 700 Club in an interview to air on Friday, saying that Trump has gone soft on abortion as evidenced by his opposition to the "heartbeat bills" that have been passed in several states since the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

DeSantis made the comments when asked by CBN News reporter David Brody why voters should choose him instead of Trump.

“I think there have been a lot of Republicans through the years who have said they would do things, but when it really gets tough, are you able to stand your ground and do it?" he challenged. "Right to life, we were able to deliver the heartbeat bill, which was a big, big deal. And while I appreciate what the former President has done in a variety of realms, he opposes that bill. He said it was ‘harsh’ to protect an unborn child when there’s a detectable heartbeat.”

Trump has pledged to "get something done" on abortion nationally -- perhaps a 15-week ban -- but sources say he believes a national ban at six weeks is too restrictive and would jeopardize his election chances.

It's true that majorities in many areas of the country, including Republican-dominated ones, have seemed to think heartbeat bills and six-week bans are too restrictive, and that some of the weakness of the "red wave" in 2022 was due to states passing very restrictive bills in the aftermath of Roe v. Wade's end.

But abortion is an issue that should not be decided based on whether it gets votes or is popular. Trump could damage his integrity as a candidate if he makes political decisions on abortion rather than basing them on principles and what is right and wrong on this issue.