The president of the pro-life group Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America (SBA) condemned Republican presidential hopeful Ron DeSantis for failing to advocate a national abortion ban in a statement issued after the governor appeared to equivocate on the question during an interview with Megyn Kelly last week.

“Gov. DeSantis’s dismissal of this task is unacceptable to prolife voters. A consensus is already formed. Intensity for it is palpable and measurable,” SBA President Marjorie Dannenfelser said. “There are many pressing legislative issues for which Congress does not have the votes at the moment, but that is not a reason for a strong leader to back away from the fight. This is where presidential leadership matters most.”

“A pro-life president has a duty to protect the lives of all Americans. He should be the National Defender of Life.”

The statement comes days after DeSantis appeared on the Megyn Kelly Show, where the pair discussed Florida’s recent passage of a six-week abortion ban, also known as the “Heartbeat Bill.”

Asked whether he would sign a national six-week abortion law as president, DeSantis dodged, insisting that the political realities of the moment ensure that he won’t have that option if elected.

“Our bill in Florida protects the unborn when there is a detectable heartbeat. The heartbeat bill is something that is rooted in science and medicine, and this is the most significant protection that we’ve ever done in the state of Florida,” he said. “I’ve been a pro-life governor, and I’ll be a pro-life president, and I will come down on the side of life.”

“We are running on doing things I know we can accomplish, so we’re gonna end the abortion tourism that is in the military – it’s an egregious waste of taxpayer dollars,” DeSantis added.

DeSantis’s spokesman dismissed the SBA attack as an example of “DC political games” in a statement to the AP.

“Governor DeSantis delivers results and acts, especially when it comes to protecting life. He did so in Florida by signing the heartbeat bill and will be a pro-life president. He does not kowtow to DC interest groups. This unjustified attack on him is another example of the DC political games that have seen conservatives falter in Washington while Governor DeSantis has produced unmatched conservative victories in Florida,” DeSantis press secretary Bryan Griffin said.

In early May, the SBA criticized former president Donald Trump for blaming the GOP’s lackluster midterm performance on pro-lifers, but praised the former president for his support for life during his first term.

“His presidency was the most consequential in American history for the pro-life cause,” Dannenfelser wrote at the time.

She met with Trump alongside Senator Lindsey Graham (R., S.C.) after Trump lashed out at pro-lifers.

Dannenfelser previously noted that SBA would not back a 2024 presidential candidate who is opposed to a 15-week federal abortion ban.