Mike Pence calls Trump's abortion policy a 'slap in the face' to 'millions of Americans': Former VP gives old boss stinging criticism and suggests Republicans want to 'wash their hands' of the battle for life

Former Vice President Mike Pence slammed his former boss's announcement on Monday claiming abortion should be left to states, saying Donald Trump helped end Roe v Wade but Republicans no longer want to take responsibility for the issue.

'President Trump’s retreat on the Right to Life is a slap in the face to the millions of pro-life Americans who voted for him in 2016 and 2020,' Pence said in a post on X.

He went on "By nominating and standing by the confirmation of conservative justices, the Trump-Pence Administration helped send Roe v. Wade to the ash heap of history where it belongs and gave the pro-life movement the opportunity to compassionately support women and unborn children.'

Pence slammed GOP politicians saying they are 'all too ready to wash their hands of the battle for life.'

The former vice president claimed Republicans 'win on life' when they 'speak the truth boldly.' 

He also vowed he would never relent 'until we see the sanctity of life restored to the center of American law in every state in this country.'

Former Vice President Mike Pence blasted his former boss for his announcement on abortion calling the ex-president's position a 'slap in the face' for pro-life Americans

The harsh criticism from Pence came after Trump released a four-minute video on social media where he announced his latest stance on abortion ahead of the 2024 election.

The much anticipated announcement followed months of Trump delaying revealing his position on abortion as the issue has been a motivating for Democrats since Roe was overturned.

Pence's blistering post was one of several responses of disappointment to Trump's video from anti-abortion politicians and advocates on Monday who have been pushing for a federal abortion ban since Roe fell in 2022.

Trump released a four-minute video on Truth Social on Monday claiming he supports the right for states to pass laws regarding limits on abortion – and does not support a federal ban after previously signaling he could get behind a federal ban

Trump said on Monday it should be up to the states to determine abortion laws and he would not support a federal-level ban despite just last month signaling he might get behind one.

It followed reports that Trump was considering supporting a 15-week ban on abortion – meaning women would not be able to terminate their pregnancy legally after the first trimester.

'We have abortion where everybody wanted it from a legal standpoint, the states will determine by vote or legislation or perhaps both, and whatever they decide must be the law of the land,' Trump, 77, said in the video.

Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America said in a statement on Monday that the group is 'deeply disappointed' in Trump's position and said giving the issue to the states 'cedes the national debate to the Democrats.'

The anti-abortion group said it will still 'work tirelessly to defeat President Biden' in November.

Pence's full response to Trump's statement on abortion on Monday

Pence had previously said he would not endorse Trump in the 2024 election. the pair's relationship went south after Pence moved to certify the 2020 election despite Trump's false claims the election was stolen. 

Pence was the first vice president ever to join the anti-abortion March for Life gathering in Washington, DC in 2017 just days after Trump took office. 

Trump became the first sitting president to address the March for Life in person a few years later in 2020. 

During the Trump administration Pence vowed to help end abortion in the United States and advocated for Trump to nominate justices who would overturn Roe v Wade. 

In his video, Trump thanked the six justices who overturned Roe and praised them for their 'courage.' The ex-president said he was 'proudly the person responsible' for ending Roe v Wade.