Former president Donald Trump disappointed many pro-life voters when, on April 8, he posted a video to  Truth Social discussing his position on abortion. “My view is now that we have abortion where everybody wanted it from a legal standpoint,” he said. “The states will determine by vote or legislation or perhaps both. And whatever they decide must be the law of the land — in this case, the law of the state.”

I don’t understand the disappointment, for three reasons.

The first reason is that he made a promise in 2016, then kept that promise. He promised to nominate Supreme Court justices who would overturn Roe v. Wade if he was elected. He was elected, he nominated those justices, and they overturned Roe.

That’s really a miracle in itself, if you think about it. While descending the escalator to announce his presidential campaign, he magically transformed himself from a life-long pro-choice “progressive Democrat” into a newly minted pro-life “conservative Republican” … and then, on that issue, actually acted like one and delivered the goods.  Mission accomplished.

The second reason is the result: Until Roe was overturned, pro-life activists had zero chance of getting their way via state legislatures. Now they do have that chance and in many cases have been able to make their dearest dreams come true on the issue of abortion.

What do you want, egg in your beer? He promised. He delivered. He owes you nothing.

And the third reason is one that’s been obvious for decades and goes back to the fable of the scorpion and the frog:

A scorpion asks a frog to transport him across a river. He promises the frog he won’t sting, as that would result in them both dying. But halfway across, he stings the frog. As they both drown, the frog asks the scorpion why. The answer: “It’s in my nature.”

In another version, a cobra bites the woman who rescued him from injury and nursed him back to health: “You knew I was a snake when you picked me up.”

In 2016, pro-life voters — including evangelical Christians — knew that Donald Trump was untrustworthy.

He couldn’t be trusted not to cheat on his wives.

He couldn’t be trusted not to screw over business partners who fell for and financed his scams.

He was — and remains — someone no sensible person would leave alone in a room with their wallet or teenage daughter.

Yet pro-life voters — including evangelical Christians — voted for him.

In large numbers.

Twice.

If you think he’s biting you by going “states’ rights” on the issue of abortion rather than supporting a federal ban, well … you knew he was a snake/scorpion when you chose him.

And you’ll probably do it again anyway.

Thomas L. Knapp (Twitter: @thomaslknapp) is director and senior news analyst at the William Lloyd Garrison Center for Libertarian Advocacy Journalism (thegarrisoncenter.org). He lives and works in north central Florida.

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