Planned Parenthood President Decries Donald Trump Calling Pregnancy an 'Inconvenience'
Planned Parenthood Federation of America President Cecile Richards denounced Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump's comment calling pregnancy an "inconvenience."
In a speech delivered at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, Richards spoke about the issues she had with Trump's stated views on women and abortion.
"Donald Trump has pledged to appoint justices who will overturn Roe v. Wade and undo decades of progress. His policies aren't just frightening — they're rooted in a disturbing worldview," said Richards.
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"Donald Trump has called women 'fat pigs" and 'dogs.' He wants to punish women for having abortions. And he says pregnancy is an 'inconvenience' for a woman's employer."
Richards went on to state to those gathered know that "women's health and rights are on the line and on the ballot in this election."
"Donald Trump, come November, women are going to be more than an inconvenience. We're going to be the reason you're not elected," noted Richards.
"Each year, millions of women, men, and young people trust Planned Parenthood. And the Planned Parenthood Action Fund trusts Hillary Clinton."
Some pro-life groups and individuals were quick to pounce on what they considered to be a contradiction in reasoning by Richards.
On YouTube, the Conservative Review immediately posted an 18-second clip from Richards' speech with the caption "Planned Parenthood Head Says Pregnancy not an 'inconvenience?'"
"Interesting: @CecileRichards attacks @realDonaldTrump for saying exactly what she believes – 'pregnancy is inconvenient'. #PPSellsBabyParts," tweeted one viewer of the speech.
Richards also appeared to suggest that Clinton would push for taxpayer funding of abortions for poor women if elected president.
"And she will always stand up for Roe v. Wade and the right of every woman to access a full range of reproductive health care, including abortion, no matter her economic status," she said.
During the Republican primary season Trump garnered controversy after he told Chris Matthews of MSNBC that he believed a woman should be punished for having an abortion.
Trump initially appeared to misrepresent the view of most pro-lifers, saying, "Well people in certain parts of the Republican party and conservatives Republicans would say, yes they should be punished."
After Matthews pushed for Trump to state his position, Trump claimed that position was his own, saying, "there has to be some form of punishment" for an abortion. Matthews asked if that included punishing the pregnant woman, to which Trump replied "yes."
Trump's statements received denunciation not only from pro-choice groups, but also pro-life organizations and conservative Republican politicians.
Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the Susan B. Anthony List, said in a statement that she and her organization "have never advocated, in any context, for the punishment of women who undergo abortion."
"As a convert to the pro-life movement, Mr. Trump sees the reality of the horror of abortion – the destruction of an innocent human life – which is legal in our country up until the moment of birth," said Dannenfelser.
"But let us be clear: punishment is solely for the abortionist who profits off of the destruction of one life and the grave wounding of another."
