WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Friday sought to assure opponents of abortion that he stands with them and would veto any legislation that “weakens the protection of human life.”

Trump spoke via video to crowds at this year’s March for Life on the National Mall. “As president, I will always defend the first right in our Declaration of Independence, the right to life,” Trump said.

Trump and Vice President Mike Pence, who attended the event, listed actions the administration has taken over the past two years to deter abortions.

Trump noted that the administration has ensured foreign aid doesn’t flow to organizations that promote abortion. Pence credited Trump with nominating conservative judges to the federal bench. Trump also said that he had just sent a letter to members of Congress reiterating his veto threat on legislation weakening abortion restrictions.

Isabel Chism, 18, from the Detroit area, was among the March for Life participants.

She said young women need to make their voices heard no matter their political leaning, and she’s concerned that women with her anti-abortion perspective are often ignored.

“A majority of our group is women, and we believe in women’s equality, but we also believe in the equality of unborn women,” Chism said.

The first march took place in January 1974, the year after the Supreme Court decided Roe v. Wade.