Trump denounces legal abortion in March for Life Address: 'It is wrong. It has to change'

President Donald Trump has condemned permissive abortion laws in the U.S. and vowed to support pro-life advocates when he became the first commander-in-chief to address the annual March for Life via video feed on Friday.

Speaking via satellite from the Rose Garden of the White House, Trump described the March for Life as a "movement born out of love" and said that he was "honored" and "proud" to be the first president to address the annual event.

"You love your families, you love your neighbors, you love our nation, and you love every child, born and unborn, because you believe that every life is sacred, that every child is a precious gift from God," Trump said, as reported by The Christian Post.

"Because of you, tens of thousands of Americans have been born and reached their full God-given potential," he added.

The march was first held 44 years ago on the anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling Roe. v. Wade, which legalized abortion in all 50 states in the nation.

During his address, Trump lamented that the Supreme Court decision has "resulted in some of the most permissive abortion laws anywhere in the world."

"For example, in the United States, it's one of only seven countries to allow elective late-term abortions, along with China, North Korea, and others. Right now in a number of states, the laws allow a baby to be born from his or her mother's womb in the ninth month. It is wrong. It has to change," he said.

Trump pointed out some of his achievements supporting the pro-life movement after he took office, including the reinstatement of the Mexico City Policy, which prohibits the government from funding organizations that perform abortions overseas.

He went on to describe a new proposal that aims to protect the conscience rights of medical professionals who may have objections to abortions.

The president also promised to sign a new legislation that would protect babies who survive abortions.

The Born Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act was approved by the House on Friday by a vote of 241–183. Under the legislation, health care practitioners who are present when a baby survives an abortion would be required to provide professional care to preserve the life of the infant and ensure that the child is immediately transported to a hospital.

Trump has asked the Senate to approve the bill as several Republican senators are calling for a vote on another measure that would ban abortions after 20 weeks.

While Trump was the first president to deliver a speech to the March for Life via video feed, two other presidents have addressed the annual event in the past. According to CBN News, former President George W. Bush made telephone remarks in 2003 and 2004, while former President Ronald Reagan also addressed the march via telephone back in 1987.