Trump tamped down fights over abortion and marriage. Conservative activists want to bring them back in 2028
Trump Tamped Down Fights Over Abortion and Marriage. Conservative Activists Want to Bring Them Back in 2028
Trump tamped down fights over abortion – For nearly two decades, the Faith and Freedom Coalition has served as a key player in mobilizing conservative Christian voters, with a clear focus on preserving life and reinforcing traditional marriage. Yet, as the group convened in Washington, D.C., for its annual gathering, the spotlight appeared to shift away from these once-central issues. Even the event’s most prominent speaker, former President Donald Trump, seemed to downplay the urgency of abortion and same-sex marriage debates, signaling a potential shift in the priorities of the conservative movement.
Reviving Old Battles in a New Political Era
Despite its enduring commitment to “protecting life” and “strengthening traditional marriage,” the coalition’s latest event underscored a subtle evolution in its strategy. While these themes remain foundational, activists are now preparing to reintroduce them with renewed vigor as the Republican Party looks ahead to the 2028 presidential race. The decision to spotlight these issues again reflects a growing concern among social conservatives that the party’s post-Trump trajectory may leave them vulnerable to losing influence on key cultural topics.
The Trump Era and Its Legacy on Cultural Issues
Since his return to the White House, Trump has largely distanced himself from long-standing issues that were central to the conservative faith movement. These topics—such as abortion rights and same-sex marriage—were once pivotal in his campaign, yet they have been quietly sidelined in recent months. According to insiders, Trump’s rationale for this shift is strategic: he believes that abortion and marriage equality are political liabilities for a party already struggling to maintain its majority. By avoiding these debates, he aims to protect the GOP’s core base while focusing on more immediately appealing policies.
However, this approach has not gone unnoticed by activists. While some have expressed frustration with Trump’s deprioritization of these issues, they have largely avoided public criticism, recognizing his unparalleled influence over conservative voters. That restraint may be temporary, as the groundwork for a new cultural agenda begins to take shape. “The window for shaping the 2028 race is closing fast,” said one strategist, emphasizing the need for proactive engagement with voters in key states like Iowa and South Carolina.
Targeting the 2028 Primaries: A Bold Push for Abortion Policy
Among the most vocal groups in this effort is SBA Pro-Life America, a leading anti-abortion organization. The group is already planning how to leverage its resources in the early primary states, where it hopes to pressure Republican candidates into taking a firm stance on restricting abortion access. With a $80 million budget allocated for the 2028 campaign, SBA Pro-Life America aims to align itself with candidates who prioritize a national cutoff for abortions after a specific stage of pregnancy.
Kelsey Pritchard, the organization’s spokeswoman, emphasized the importance of this push. “We’re being clear early on: if you want to win in Iowa and South Carolina and become the GOP nominee, you have to have a bold and clear position on abortion,” she stated in a
quote>. “This isn’t just a policy debate—it’s a matter of defining the party’s values and appealing to the base that has carried it to power for decades.”
The group’s strategy is not only about pushing candidates but also about reinvigorating the broader conversation on abortion, which has seen a decline in public prominence since the 2020 election.
Rekindling the Same-Sex Marriage Debate
Another front in this cultural revival is the effort to reframe the discourse around same-sex marriage. A coalition of conservative groups launched a new initiative earlier this year to challenge the legal foundations of marriage equality and curb the ability of LGBTQ+ couples to adopt children. This comes as the issue has largely receded from Republican platforms since the Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage nationwide in 2015. Even Trump, who removed the topic from the party’s platform during his 2024 nomination, has shown little interest in reviving it.
“Same-sex marriage was a core issue for us for years,” said a member of the coalition, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “But now, we’re seeing a resurgence in interest, especially as younger voters and suburban demographics begin to question the GOP’s consistency on these matters.” The group’s renewed focus highlights a broader trend: social conservatives are seeking to reclaim cultural issues as a means of redefining the party’s identity and appealing to a more ideologically aligned electorate.
Expanding the Fight: Surrogacy and Family-Building Rights
Conservative activists are also looking to broaden their agenda by targeting surrogacy, a practice they argue undermines traditional family structures. Several Republican officials have recently called for stricter regulations on commercial surrogacy, suggesting it could be another battleground for social conservatives. In Florida, Attorney General James Uthmeier described the practice as “modern day slavery,” a provocative framing intended to galvanize support for more sweeping restrictions.
Meanwhile, the Faith and Freedom Coalition has been cautious in its approach, avoiding direct confrontations with Trump while keeping its eye on the long-term goals of the movement. At its latest conference, attendees discussed the need to adapt to a changing political landscape, where cultural issues may once again become central to the GOP’s strategy. “We can’t afford to be complacent,” said one delegate, highlighting the coalition’s determination to stay relevant in the 2028 race.
Preparing for the Future: A New Political Landscape
Steve Deace, a prominent conservative commentator, has warned that Trump’s dominance in Republican politics may soon wane. “There’s no one like him again,” he said, noting that the GOP’s future will require navigating ideological tensions that Trump’s influence has long suppressed. This sentiment is echoed by Terry Schilling, president of the American Principles Project, which has been instrumental in driving culture-war rhetoric. Schilling argued that the party now has an opportunity to reassert its values, citing a decline in public support for same-sex marriage and other cultural markers.
According to Gallup, support for same-sex marriage peaked at 71% in 2022 but has since declined each year. Similarly, moral acceptance of having a child out of wedlock has been steadily dropping, with recent data showing a notable decrease. These trends, Schilling suggested, could provide the GOP with a renewed mandate to emphasize traditional values. “If we’re not leading the charge on these issues, we risk being seen as stagnant,” he said. “The key is to connect with voters who feel their values are under threat.”
Inside the Coalition: A Strategic Pause
Despite the growing urgency to reengage on cultural issues, the Faith and Freedom Coalition’s recent conference revealed a cautious tone. While some activists expressed frustration with Trump’s policies, others remained focused on long-term goals. “We’re not rushing to blame Trump for the current state of affairs,” said one coalition member, explaining that the group is more concerned with building momentum for the 2028 race than critiquing past leadership. This measured approach suggests that the coalition may be waiting for the right moment to reintroduce these debates with fresh energy.
Still, the signs are clear: social conservatives are preparing for a more aggressive campaign in the coming years. With Trump’s influence gradually waning and new demographic challenges emerging, the movement is positioning itself to reclaim the cultural narrative. Whether through abortion policy, same-sex marriage, or surrogacy, the 2028 election may serve as a turning point for the GOP, reshaping its identity and priorities in the process.