Mississippi Republican House Speaker Philip Gunn is facing backlash after saying there should be no exception to the state’s ban on abortion, insisting that even 12-year-old girls who are victims of incest must carry a pregnancy to term now that the U.S. Supreme Court has struck down Roe v Wade.
Gunn’s remarks came while speaking with reporters at the House chamber.
During questioning, Associated Press reporter Emily Wagster Pettus asked: “What about the case of a 12-year-old girl who was molested by her father or uncle?”
“I believe life begins at conception. Every life is valuable. And those are my personal beliefs,” Speaker Gunn insisted.
Another reporter pressed Gunn further.
“So that 12-year-old child molested by her family members should carry that pregnancy to term?” Daily Journal reporter Taylor Vance asked.
“That is my personal belief. I believe life begins at conception,” the Speaker repeated.
Gunn concluded by saying the members of his party were “going to celebrate” the Supreme Court’s decision “today.”
Watch Gunn’s remarks below:
Here's the moment when Mississippi House Speaker Philip Gunn told journalists that he believes even 12-year-old girls raped by their fathers and uncles should be forced to carry a pregnancy to term because "every life is valuable."https://t.co/gCzlfG1MmN pic.twitter.com/LJU5aWhVfF
— Ashton Pittman (@ashtonpittman) June 29, 2022
