Retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, who is being vetted by Donald Trump’s campaign as a potential vice presidential candidate, flip-flopped his position on abortion in the last two days.
Flynn said Sunday that it was up to women “to make the decision” about whether to end a pregnancy, a position squarely contradicting the Republican Party’s long-held opposition to abortion rights.
But on Monday, Flynn described himself as a “pro-life Democrat” and and said that the current court standing, which allows for some legal abortions, should be reversed.
“This pro-choice issue is a legal issue that should be decided by the courts,” Flynn told on Fox News. “I believe in law. If people want to change the law, they should vote so that we can appoint pro-life judges. I believe the law should be changed.”
Flynn’s turn may reflect pressure he received from the anti-abortion community immediately after making his views known on Sunday on ABC’s “This Week.” One prominent social group conservative, Susan B. Anthony List, said Sunday afternoon that Flynn had “disqualified himself” just with that comment.
Flynn is believed to be one of about five finalists that Trump is considering for his running mate, a list that also includes Chris Christie, Newt Gingrich and Mike Pence. A final decision is expected to be announced this week.
Trump himself had a change of heart on the issue, moving from a pro-abortion rights position to an anti-abortion rights stance in recent years. He has, however, expressed support for exceptions to anti-abortion language for instances like life of the mother or rape or incest, something at odds with some conservatives.