NBC anchor tries to use pro-life argument to promote vaccine mandate. GOP governor hits back with Dr. Fauci's own words.

NBC anchor Chuck Todd attempted Sunday to promote COVID-19 vaccine mandates using the "pro-life" argument most commonly used to oppose abortion. But Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves (R) used Dr. Anthony Fauci's own words to upend Todd's narrative.

What is the background?

Reeves appeared on NBC's "Meet the Press" ahead of the Supreme Court hearing a landmark case — Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization — this week that could ultimately overturn Roe v. Wade.

The case stems from a Mississippi law that bans abortion after 15 weeks into pregnancy. The law was designed to be a direct challenge to Roe v. Wade. Oral arguments are expected to take place on Wednesday, but a decision likely won't come until next year, probably not until June, when the court issues opinions before the summer recess.

What happened on 'Meet the Press'?

During an interview in which Todd intertwined questions about abortion and COVID vaccines, Todd argued that a vaccine mandate "is a pro-life position."

Reeves responded by citing Fauci's own remarks — which were made in an interview just prior to Reeves' appearance on "Meet the Press" — that admit being vaccinated against COVID-19 does not prevent one from contracting the virus, which means vaccinated people are still vulnerable to the potential severe consequences of COVID infection.

But preventing abortion definitively protects unborn life, Reeves pointed out.

"Even if you listen to Dr. Fauci's interview with you earlier today, he made it very clear that the vaccine may not keep you from getting the virus. It may not keep you from spreading the virus," Reeves said. "That's what's been proven during this Delta surge that we've seen in America, is that the virus is continuing to being spread even amongst those who are vaccinated."

"Conversely, when you're talking about the pro-life position of protecting unborn babies, let's put it also in perspective: The fact is that during this very horrible and challenging time since I was sworn into office in January of 2020, we've had 800,000 American lives lost because of COVID," he continued. "But since Roe was enacted, 62 million American babies have been aborted, and, therefore, have been killed. And that's why I think it's very important that people like myself and others across this country stand up for those unborn children because they don't have the ability to stand up for themselves."

Todd did not offer a response and ended the interview after Reeves' response.

Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves' Interview On NBC's Meet The Press(FULL)www.youtube.com

Earlier in the interview, Todd attempted to corner Reeves in what he framed as hypocrisy.

Pointing out that Reeves has opposed the Biden administration's vaccine mandate on the basis of "my body, my choice," Todd asked Reeves, "Why should the state of Mississippi tell a woman what they should do with their body? Why shouldn't they have that individual freedom on their body, particularly in the first 20 weeks?"

In response, Reeves pointed out that abortion kills unborn lives, whereas choosing to get vaccinated or not does not have such an immediate impact on anyone other than yourself.

Well, this is a prime example. And the far left loves to scream, "My body, my choice." And what I would submit to you, Chuck, is they absolutely ignore the fact that in getting an abortion there is an actual killing of an innocent, unborn child that is in that womb.

Here's what we know about babies that are 15 weeks: We know that they have a heartbeat. We know that those babies at 15 weeks actually can open and close their hands. We know that they have developing lungs. And we know that those babies at 15 weeks can feel pain. And so when you talk — the difference between vaccine mandates and abortions is vaccines allow you to protect yourself. Abortions actually go in and kill other American babies.