Buttigieg Comments on Freedom and Abortion

During a fundraising call for Vice President Kamala Harris, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg stated that access to abortion makes men 'more free,' a claim that sparked criticism from pro-life advocates. He argued that women's freedom, highlighted by the rollback of abortion rights under Donald Trump, is a central theme of Harris' campaign, but he emphasized that men also benefit from the availability of abortion and birth control. Critics, including pro-life groups, accused Buttigieg of undermining women's dignity and promoting a culture of irresponsibility, suggesting that such views enable men to evade accountability for their actions. Buttigieg's comments were made during a virtual event attended by around 200,000 men, where he praised Harris for her focus on freedom amidst ongoing debates over reproductive rights. The backlash includes claims that abortion encourages neglect and coercion, especially against women. Buttigieg's office did not respond to requests for further clarification on his statements.