Hey Jen Psaki, men can have an opinion on abortion too.

The oft-repeated mantra that abortion is an issue that only affects women, and therefore men cannot have an opinion or voice on the issue, was repeated yesterday by White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki during a press briefing.

Earlier in the day, the U.S. Supreme Court had decided to permit a new Texas law, S.B. 8, to take effect. The law prohibits abortions after six weeks gestation, making The Lone Star State the first in the nation to successfully prohibit abortions pre-viability since Roe v. Wade was decided in 1973.

In response to the court’s decision, during the White House press briefing, EWTN’s Washington, D.C. correspondent Owen Jenson asked Psaki, “Why does the president support abortion when his own Catholic faith teaches abortion is morally wrong?”

“He believes that it’s a woman’s right, it’s a woman’s body, and it’s her choice,” Psaki replied.

Jenson then followed up, asking Psaki, “Who does he believe then should look out for the unborn child?”

The press secretary replied:

“He believes that it’s up to a woman to make those decisions, and up to a woman to make those decisions with her doctor. I know you’ve never faced those choices, nor have you ever been pregnant, but for women out there who have faced those choices, this is an incredibly difficult thing. The president believes that right should be respected.”

In essence, Psaki told Jenson that since he’s not a woman, he doesn’t get to have any opinion on the matter.

There are several things that sentiment gets wrong.

For starters, if that’s the case, then why does Psaki’s boss, a man, get to have an opinion on the issue?

Additionally, Roe v. Wade was decided by a court made up of all men. Was it wrong for that court to decide to legalize abortion for the entire nation? Surely Psaki would say no. So why does she think men can’t voice their opinion now?

Or is it only pro-life men who must keep their mouths shut?

Next, contrary to the lie that abortion is only a “woman’s issue,” in reality, it’s a decision that affects men too. It kills the preborn child. The child of a mother and father.

Focus on the Family recently held SeeLife 2021, a large pro-life celebration in Dallas, Texas. At the event, David Williams shared how abortion had impacted his life.

As The Daily Citizen reported, “Williams recounted how many years ago, he had encouraged his girlfriend to have an abortion. He relayed the ‘very deep depression’ and regret that went along with that decision, and how later asking Jesus Christ to forgive his sins provided him with a peace that he had never known.”

“Now, Williams volunteers for Save One, an organization that works to help men, women and families recover after an abortion.”

Abortion affects the preborn child, the woman, and the man.

As a final point, many on the Left actually believe that men can get pregnant.

For example, the ACLU once tweeted, “There’s no one way to be a man. Men who get their periods are men. Men who get pregnant and give birth are men.”

So, if men could get abortions, why couldn’t they have an opinion on the issue?

But for a moment, let’s grant Psaki’s position. Let’s say that no man can have an opinion on abortion.

In that case, millions of pro-life women still make the case that killing a preborn child is wrong.

Pro-life advocate Lila Rose tweeted a response to the exchange between Psaki and Jenson.

“I’ve been pregnant, @PressSec, and it’s *still* not my right, or anyone else’s, to kill a baby,” Rose wrote. “Being a woman or being pregnant does not give you license [to] kill. Women deserve better than abortion.”

Well said, Lila.

The only thing I’d add, is that women and men deserve better than abortion.

Photo from Reuters.