Independent Utah Senate hopeful Evan McMullin once criticized then-candidate Donald Trump for not explicitly saying he would like to see Roe v. Wade overturned.
McMullin, who also ran as an independent candidate in the 2016 presidential election, tweeted in October of that year, “Why can’t [Trump] actually say the words ‘I want Roe v Wade overturned?’ I’m the only pro-life candidate in this race.”
And in Aug. 2016, he tweeted, “On the issue of life, it’s LIFE, so I would pursue court appointments that would overturn Roe v. Wade.”
In this clip, Evan McMullin is asked why he changed his position since 2016 on whether Roe should be overturned. He gives no explanation: https://t.co/mWHpUJ1qiJ pic.twitter.com/1GNz3XVkJk
— John McCormack (@McCormackJohn) May 9, 2022
But now, running for the Senate to unseat Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) and as it appears the Supreme Court is poised to overturn the decision, McMullin is striking a different tone.
During an appearance on MSNBC, host Medhi Hassan noted the old tweets and asked how “2020 Evan McMullin and 2016 Evan McMullin are compatible.”
“I am committed to the sanctity of life but I think that means the lives of women, that means the lives of unborn of course, and it means the lives of children,” McMullin responded.
Hassan pressed, “Just to be clear, you don’t support overturning Roe v. Wade anymore as you did in 2016?”
“I do not think that that is the way for the country to move forward on this issue,” the Senate hopeful responded.
He continued, “I think the way to move forward is found in data that says very clearly that when we make long-term reversible contraception, or contraception in general, more available, the abortion rate declines. We should do more to support women and families and children. Less judgment and more compassion, let’s lend a helping hand.”
“That’s what actually lowers the abortion rate in America. And it’s a more comprehensive approach to life that respects the lives of mothers, the unborn children, and really everyone,” McMullin added.
Evan McMullin, now trying to unseat Mike Lee, was staunchly anti-abortion in 2016. Yet he tells @mehdirhasan he now opposes overturning Roe v. Wade: “I do not think that that is the way for the country to move forward on this issue.” pic.twitter.com/52jQtuQ8Li
— The Mehdi Hasan Show (@MehdiHasanShow) May 9, 2022
Last week, Politico published a story based on a draft opinion that appeared to show the Supreme Court is poised to overturn the landmark abortion decision Roe v. Wade.
In a statement after the leak, McMullin said, “As a pro-life Utahn, I’m concerned that the never-ending tug-of-war over abortion laws threatens to create a public health crisis and further divide the nation without solving anything.”
“If Roe v. Wade is overturned, some states will immediately enact extreme laws — such as total bans on abortion, onerous limits on birth control, and criminalization of women in desperate situations. I oppose these laws. I will advocate for sensible legislation that improves support for women, children and families,” he continued.
Read the statement below:
My response to the leaked draft opinion from the Supreme Court on Roe v. Wade: pic.twitter.com/sARuwGRLCE
— Evan McMullin 🇺🇸 (@EvanMcMullin) May 3, 2022
McMullin has won the support of the Utah Democratic Party which voted last month to support McMullin’s campaign and not nominate their own candidate for the Senate race.