Parental rights, 'book bans': 5 highlights from Gavin Newsom's podcast debut

1. Newsom says pro-lifers are welcome in the Democratic Party

After Kirk suggested that Democrats have an “unhealthy purification process” that has the effect of kicking out people with heterodox views on particular issues, he asked Newsom: “Is there a place for a pro-life Democrat in the Democrat Party?” Newsom responded by declaring, “There should be.” 

Kirk’s remarks reflect that nearly all Democrats in Congress are no longer pro-life. Not a single Senate Democrat voted for the Born Alive Abortion-Survivors Protection Act this year, which would have imposed criminal penalties on abortionists and staff who opted not to provide medical care for babies who survive botched abortions.

While the measure received 52 votes thanks to unanimous support from Senate Republicans, it failed to secure the 60 votes needed for passage due to opposition from Democrats. In the U.S. House of Representatives, only one Democrat, Rep. Henry Cuellar of Texas, joined Republicans in supporting the measure. By contrast, five Democrats voted for the measure when it first came up for a vote in 2015. 

Kristen Day, president of the Democrats for Life of America, issued a statement on X Friday in response to Newsom’s assertion that pro-life Democrats should have a place in the party. “This week @GavinNewsom told @charliekirk11 that there is room for @demsforlife. His words are empty. His record is clear. Until he stops the pro-abortion extremism and starts protecting pregnancy resources centers, simply saying pro-life Dems are welcome means nothing.”