At the 2025 March for Life, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson told the assembled crowd that he was the result of an unplanned teenage pregnancy. He expressed his eternal gratitude that his parents didn’t heed the advice of those who encouraged them to “just take care of that problem.” They would go on to have three more children.
Johnson’s personal testimony fit well with comments newly sworn-in Vice President J.D. Vance would deliver several minutes later regarding courage in the face of life’s challenges. Johnson’s teen parents were brave and ended up raising a national leader.
Vance spoke live after President Donald Trump appeared electronically. The president’s message was straightforward and relatively brief compared to many of his appearances where he freestyles at length. He took credit for returning the abortion issue to the states. In addition, he endorsed the work of pregnancy care centers, expressed support for adoption and foster care, and promised an end to the weaponization of law against pro-life protesters. Given that the well-known Christian author Randy Alcorn’s entire financial life has been negatively affected by such legal attacks, the point is a significant one. President Trump reminded the audience that other non-violent pro-life protesters have benefitted from a pardon he extended shortly after resuming office.
President Trump appeared to leave the heavy lifting to Vice President Vance, who hit some of the same points but ventured to set forth a more expansive vision of pro-life advocacy and policy. Marchers, perhaps realizing that Vance represents the likely future of pro-life advocacy in the executive branch, gave him a huge reception as he took the stage. He responded with the same exuberance and energy he has brought to the new opportunities and events that have come with the vice presidency. Entering the office with a president limited to a single term is bringing a bigger spotlight than many vice presidents enjoy.
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Hunter (J.D., Ph.D.) is the provost and dean of faculty at North Greenville University in South Carolina. He is the author of The End of Secularism, Political Thought: A Student’s Guide, and The System Has a Soul. His work has appeared in a wide variety of other books and journals. He is formally affiliated with Touchstone, the Journal of Markets and Morality, the Center for Religion, Culture, and Democracy, and the Land Center at Southwestern Seminary.