He Sent Shockwaves Through the Nation With His Undercover Planned Parenthood Videos. Here's the Unsettling Question He Has for Cecile Richards.

David Daleiden, head of the Center for Medical Progress — the organization that claims to have collected evidence through an undercover video series that Planned Parenthood profits off of the sale of fetal tissue — recently spoke out in a sweeping interview with The Church Boys podcast.

Daleiden discussed an ongoing lawsuit against the Center for Medical Progress that is being waged by the National Abortion Federation, commented on the recent shooting at a Colorado clinic and shared what he'd ask Planned Parenthood head Cecile Richards, if given the chance.

It was his comments about what he would ask Richards, though, that were perhaps the most stirring.

"I would be really curious to know ... if she really engages in the abortion practice of her providers," Daleiden said. "If she really sees abortion the way that they have to see it — the way that they have to deal with the blood, and the body parts, and the killing and the dismembering."

He went on to explain that many abortion providers have spoken out about the toll that the procedure takes on their psyches.

"[I'd be interested to] hear from Cecile Richards if she relates to that struggle," Daleiden added.

Listen to him discuss these issues, among others, below:

Subscribe to The Church Boys on iTunes

He also spoke about a lawsuit that was waged by the National Abortion Federation earlier this summer — one that has resulted in a months-long legal battle. The group, which represents abortion providers, has worked to prevent Daleidan "and others from releasing recordings and materials they illegally obtained at NAF’s educational meetings," according to a press statement.

The National Abortion Federation has argued that their meetings are private and that the attendees seek to discuss research and advancements "without fear of harassment or intimidation."

But when asked what he believes is the National Abortion Federation's main grievance, Daleidan was candid.

"Their grievance is that they got caught, the same was as Planned Parenthood," he said, noting that he believes that Planned Parenthood was smarter not to wage a legal battle. "Planned Parenthood knows that they have far too much to lose by engaging with me in a lawsuit."

Daleidan said that the legal battle is an effort to place a gag order on him and the Center for Medical Progress after undercover investigators attended National Abortion Federation annual meetings in 2014 and 2015, collective secretive footage and information.

"They want to prevent the release of any recordings from their meetings," he said. "Any information whatsoever about what happens at their meetings and what their members are involved in."

Daleidan continued, "There are many reasons why the NAF lawsuit is Orwellian, is censorial, is ridiculous and should be dismissed."

The pro-life activist also addressed the Nov. 27 shooting at a Planned Parenthood facility in Colorado, allegedly at the hands of Robert Dear.

"What happened in Colorado is a tragedy," Daleidan said, expressing his belief that it was wrong to politicize it right away.

Photo credit: Shutterstock

Instead, he said that he has been intent on showing respect for the victims over the past few weeks by not overtly speaking out on the subject.

Daleidan and the Center for Medical Progress came under fire, though, in the wake of the shooting, with reports that Dear said "no more baby parts" during questioning, and with some attempting to tie the undercover videos to the shooting.

"Since a series of highly-edited, misleading anti-abortion videos was released in July, we have seen an unprecedented increase in hate speech and threats against abortion providers," the National Abortion Federation said in a statement issued on the day the tragedy unfolded. "We have been quite worried that this increase in threats would lead to a violent attack like we saw today."

As for his take on these critiques, Daleidan dismissed the sentiment, but spoke out against the what he sees as a pointed tactic.

"I haven't heard that from a lot of people. I've heard it very specifically from Planned Parenthood and from Planned Parenthood supporters in the mainstream media," he said. "Before the blood was even dry, Planned Parenthood started politicizing the tragedy in Colorado."

--

Follow the author of this story on Twitter and Facebook:

Follow @BillyHallowell