By Tyler Arnold
Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Apr 30, 2025 / 17:43 pm
President Donald Trump recently reached the 100-day mark of his second presidency, a time filled with significant policy changes, numerous executive orders, and a flurry of legal battles.
Despite winning the Catholic vote by a substantial margin in the last election, Trump’s presidency has been met with both praise and criticism from the Catholic community. While his pro-life initiatives, protection of religious liberties, and efforts to eliminate gender ideology from government policies have garnered support, his stance on issues like in vitro fertilization, immigration policies, and funding cuts to NGOs have sparked controversy among bishops and Catholic organizations.
Successes and Setbacks in the Pro-Life Arena
Joseph Meaney, a senior fellow at the National Catholic Bioethics Center, commended Trump’s efforts to reverse pro-abortion policies implemented by the previous administration. Meaney highlighted Trump’s reinstatement of the Mexico City Policy, which restricts funding for organizations that promote abortion overseas, as well as his support for the Hyde Amendment, which prohibits federal funding for abortion services.
In a recent announcement, the President revealed plans to halt the allocation of taxpayer funds to Planned Parenthood, citing the organization’s use of the money to support their abortion services. This decision is part of a larger effort by the administration to revise regulations related to abortion, with many policies from the previous administration being rescinded or set to be reversed. These include dropping conscience protections for healthcare providers on abortion issues, requiring employers to grant leave for abortions, and the Pentagon funding travel for abortions.
Additionally, the United States will be rejoining the Geneva Consensus Declaration, a coalition of countries that advocate for pro-life and pro-woman policies. This move has been praised by many in the pro-life movement, especially the pardon of 23 individuals who were convicted under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act. There is a sense of relief among pro-lifers that the previous administration’s aggressive stance against them is being reversed.
However, there are concerns about Trump’s executive order to increase access to in vitro fertilization (IVF), which is seen as problematic from a pro-life perspective. National Catholic Bioethics Center senior fellow Joseph Meaney emphasized the need for more health and safety regulations in this area, rather than deregulation.
Looking ahead, Meaney hopes that the administration will impose restrictions on the abortion pill mifepristone, which he considers a critical issue. He also highlighted Trump’s executive order directing the attorney general to pursue the death penalty in federal cases, particularly for crimes against police officers, a move that has drawn criticism from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).
As these policies continue to evolve, it will be important to monitor how they impact the pro-life movement and healthcare regulations in the United States. The image below shows National Catholic Bioethics Center senior fellow Joseph Meaney discussing these important issues.
