Retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, who
stunned conservatives on Sunday when he commented that abortion should be a woman's choice, on Monday said he wanted to clarify his stance, calling himself a "pro-life Democrat."
"This pro-choice issue is a legal issue that should be decided by the courts," Flynn, who is under consideration as a potential running mate for GOP presumptive nominee Donald Trump, told
Fox News' Jennifer Griffin Monday. "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."
On Sunday, though, Flynn told ABC News' "This Week" that women "have to make the decision [on abortion] because they are the ones that are going to decide to bring up that child or not," a statement that riled pro-life groups.
"His pro-abortion position is unacceptable and would undermine the pro-life policy commitments that Mr. Trump has made throughout the campaign," Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the Susan B. Anthony List, said in a statement to Fox News. Further, Dannenfelser said Flynn's statements disqualify him to run alongside Trump.
Flynn told Griffin on Monday that he does not believe the election is about social issues like "gay rights and abortion rights," but that he places his priorities on national security.
The retired general is a Democrat and is a former Defense Intelligence Director serving in the Obama administration. However, he has become an outspoken critic of the administration's policies.
Trump is also reportedly considering Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, all Republicans, as potential running mates.
Sandy Fitzgerald ✉
Sandy Fitzgerald has more than three decades in journalism and serves as a general assignment writer for Newsmax covering news, media, and politics.
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