Trump Reinstates ‘Mexico City Rule’ to Bolster Anti-Abortion Agenda

In a move widely anticipated by anti-abortion advocates, President Donald Trump marked the conclusion of the March for Life celebrations by reinstating the “Mexico City Rule,” a longstanding policy restricting U.S. funding for international organizations involved in abortion services. The policy, which has been enforced by every Republican president since Ronald Reagan, was reinstated Friday, according to The New York Times.

The Mexico City Rule, often called the “global gag rule” by critics, expands on existing federal laws that already prohibit direct funding for abortion services. Under the rule, federal funds are also withheld from overseas nongovernmental organizations that provide abortion services, even if the funding itself is allocated for unrelated services.

The ban further extends to groups that simply advocate for or provide information about abortion care. “In the four decades since [Reagan first enacted it], the policy has had a seesaw history,” noted New York Times reporter Sheryl Gay Stolberg. “Democratic presidents, including Joseph R. Biden Jr., have revoked it, and Republicans have reinstated it. It has been in effect for 21 of the past 40 years.”

Trump had previously implemented the policy during his first term. This decision comes at a critical juncture for Trump, who is seeking to reassure anti-abortion activists of his administration’s commitment to their cause. Trump, who appointed the Supreme Court justices that overturned Roe v. Wade, has faced growing pressure from the anti-abortion movement to maintain hardline policies.

However, his nuanced stance on abortion in recent years has drawn mixed reactions from his base. Following public backlash over strict abortion bans, which many believe contributed to Republican underperformance in the 2022 midterm elections, Trump sought to distance himself from calls for a national abortion ban.

He stated that he would not sign federal legislation banning abortion in states where it remains legal, a position that has frustrated some within the anti-abortion movement. Further complicating his standing with these activists was Trump’s nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services.

While Kennedy is a controversial figure known for his opposition to vaccines, he has previously supported abortion rights—a position that alarmed conservative groups. To counterbalance this, Trump has since nominated more conventional right-wing figures to senior positions within HHS, a move seen as an attempt to placate his anti-abortion supporters.

As Trump navigates these complex dynamics, the reinstatement of the Mexico City Rule sends a clear message to his base: his administration remains aligned with their anti-abortion priorities, even as he faces criticism for perceived compromises on the issue.