Donald Trump abortion: Northen Ireland group slams republican presidential front runner over 'most pro-life president' ever boast

During his time in office he deliberately appointed three conservative Judges to the US Supreme Court. This allowed the judges a majority to overturn the landmark Roe v Wade case, which gave women across the US a constitutional right to abortion.

On Saturday’s anniversary of the Supreme Court overturning that right, the former president told a group of influential evangelicals the federal government should play a “vital role” in opposing abortion.

But Mr Trump, the front-runner for the Republican nomination, has been reluctant to support a national ban – unlike his former vice-president turned 2024 rival Mike Pence, who earlier challenged all the party’s candidates to support the passage of a national ban on abortions, at least as early as 15 weeks of pregnancy.

Mr Trump, who has suggested pushing for increased restrictions would be a political liability, continued to offer a muddled answer at the Faith & Freedom Coalition’s annual conference in Washington.

Taking full credit for his role in the overturning of the landmark Roe v Wade ruling last year, the former president said he was “proud to be the most pro-life president in American history” and added there “remains a vital role for the federal government in protecting unborn life”.

Mark Lambe of Abolish Abortion NI was not impressed by Mr Trump's rhetoric.

"For President Trump to claim to be ‘the most pro life president’ ever is not a badge of honour while children continue to be murdered by abortion right across the United States," he said.

“As Christians it is the responsibility of the Church to demand abolition and not leave the job to politicians to deliver a watered down version of justice. Only when the church takes its place on the battlefield will this happen."