WASHINGTON — President Trump became the first president to attend the March for Life, getting an enthusiastic reception from thousands of anti-abortion activists gathered on the National Mall Friday for the nation’s largest annual anti-abortion rally.

Trump, who this week revealed his "Pro-Life Voices for Trump" coalition for his 2020 re-election campaign, has strong ties to the anti-abortion community and spoke onstage at the event. Activists see him as a key ally in delivering policy priorities aimed at limiting abortion that he promised in 2016.

"On behalf of our marchers, I’d like to thank you for your stance and your record," said Jeanne Mancini, president of March for Life, as she introduced the president.

The crowd began assembling hours before the event, and a wave of red and blue winter hats boasting the "Make America Great Again" and March for Life logos could be seen on all sides. Near the stage, a supporter danced with a Trump teddy bear, and signs slamming Planned Parenthood and touting "the pro-life generation" were ubiquitous.

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"Today as president of the United States, I am truly proud to stand with you," Trump said, while also touting the "tremendous turnout" of the crowd.

Trump ticked off a laundry list of actions he’s taken to support abortion opponents since taking office, including restrictions to eligibility for the family planning funding program known as Title X and funding restrictions on nonprofits that support abortion abroad, known as the Mexico City policy.

He also called on Congress to take action to limit abortion late in pregnancy.

"The unborn have never had a stronger defender in the White House," he said. "Young people are the heart of the March for Life and it’s your generation that is making America the pro-family, pro-life nation."

Other speakers included House Minority Whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana.

"In 2013, Barack Obama became the first president to address Planned Parenthood’s annual conference," Scalise said, drawing boos and jeers from the crowd. "Today, Donald Trump became the first president to address the March for Life. Don’t tell me elections don’t have consequences. You know what’s at stake."

The Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights announced Friday morning that it would issue a notice of violation to the state of California related to its mandated insurance coverage for abortions.

OCR Director Roger Severino, in a call with reporters, said federal officials had received two complaints that the state was violating an annual policy rider known as the Weldon amendment, which prohibits states that receive federal funds from discriminating against plans and facilities that do not cover abortion.