A rumored choice for Donald Trump’s running mate reversed his stance on abortion Monday, calling himself “a pro-life Democrat.”
Just one day after saying the procedure should be a woman’s choice, retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn appeared to flip-flop on his view of abortion in a convoluted clarification to Fox News.
“This pro-choice issue is a legal issue that should be decided by the courts. I believe in law,” Flynn told Fox News. “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.”
He sent shockwaves through anti-abortion groups Sunday when he said on ABC’s “This Week” that women should have “sort of, the right of choice” with regard to abortion. Many interpreted Monday’s backpedal as evidence Flynn was under serious consideration as a potential VP pick for Trump.
In the Fox News interview, Flynn went on to call himself a “pro-life Democrat” and said that he is focused on national security rather than “social issues, gay rights and abortion rights.”
“If people are going to decide [the] election on abortion issue they should just stay home,” he told Fox News’ Jennifer Griffin.
Trump himself has taken a range of positions on the abortion over the years and previously identified as a Democrat.
Flynn has served as Defense Intelligence Agency director under President Barack Obama and is currently advising Trump.
