Libertarian Party Nominates Pro-Abortion Radical

In a widely unpopular decision criticized harshly by prominent Republicans and Libertarians, The Libertarian Party nominated liberal activist Chase Oliver for President of the United States. Although the Libertarian Party traditionally receives very little attention nationwide - with the Libertarian candidate Jo Jorgensen in 2020 receiving 1.2% of the vote, less than half of the party’s election result in 2016 - the party’s convention caught many eyes this year with a surprising appearance from 45th President Donald Trump, marking the first time that a former President of the United States addressed the convention. In a speech described by US Senator Mike Lee from Utah as “strong and powerful,” President Trump offered the small libertarian base an unprecedented chance at power through unity by pledging to appoint a Libertarian to a cabinet post, as well as in other senior roles in a future administration. President Trump additionally promised to commute the sentence of Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht on day one of his term, causing a skeptical crowd of libertarians to erupt in cheers. President Trump also railed against Marxism, asserting, “We believe that Marxism is an evil doctrine straight from the ashes of hell. Having Marxism in our government is intolerable, and teaching it to our children is considered, to us, child abuse”. 

Despite the historic appearance of the 45th President, the Libertarian Party selected self-described “armed and gay” former Senate candidate Chase Oliver as their presidential nominee on May 26th. Oliver, aligned with the Classical Liberal caucus in the Libertarian Party, is best known for forcing the 2022 Georgia Senate race into a run-off after receiving under 3% of the vote. Oliver also openly holds views described by many as anti-police, heavily criticizing Atlanta’s efforts to construct a new public safety training center for police officers in 2023– despite Atlanta being one of the most dangerous cities in the United States. 

Perhaps more alarmingly, multiple social media posts from Oliver - as well as the stated position on his campaign’s website - reveal radical pro-abortion stances, seemingly denying that babies are living human beings with their own rights as long as they happen to still be in their mother’s womb. His campaign website states, “Activities such as abortion are the province of individual choice and bodily autonomy… I will work to encourage states to decriminalize abortions, as these decisions should rest in the hands of individuals and their doctors”. A libertarian candidate openly admitting plans to use their power as President to pressure individual states to change their laws may seem surprising enough, but Oliver is even more radical on social media. On June 24th, 2022, Pro-Life Americans rejoiced upon hearing the news that the US Supreme Court bravely overturned Roe v. Wade with its decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, restoring the fundamental and sacred right to life for countless babies nationwide by returning the power to decide abortion legislation back to the states. Shockingly, so-called libertarian Chase Oliver took to the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, to argue against the individual rights of babies, claiming, “I have always supported the right of bodily autonomy, and this includes the right to seek an abortion.” In April of this year, he wrote, “I support medical and bodily autonomy from the state. I am pro-choice on nearly every issue”. Oliver apparently believes one does not have bodily autonomy or the right to life if one happens to be a baby in the womb of its mother. That is quite a radical position!

By contrast, 45th President Donald Trump - seeking to become the Commander in Chief once again - is considered by many to have been the most pro-life President in American history during his first term. From his first day in office, President Trump took historic action to protect the unborn, such as reinstating the Mexico City Policy, which barred federal funding going to organizations abroad that perform abortions. His administration appointed hundreds of pro-life judges, and he was the first President in history to speak at the March for Life. Without President Trump and his picks for SCOTUS, Roe v. Wade would have never been overturned, and countless babies would not get the right to life that each child deserves.