Republican Presidential Candidates Debate

Nearly all Republican presidential candidates say they would support former President Trump if he became the party's nominee. In a debate on the Fox News Channel, the candidates were asked if they would support Trump even if he were convicted in any of the four ongoing criminal cases into his conduct. All but former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson raised their hand. The candidates have signed a pledge to support the eventual Republican nominee.

The candidates say they will combat rising crime in the U.S. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said the victimization of U.S. citizens will stop when he is elected president. North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum said it's about neighbors helping neighbors. Former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson said despite all of the crime problems, it's wrong to verbally attack judges and prosecutors.

On the topic of abortion, former Vice President Mike Pence said he'd push for a federal 15-week ban on abortion if elected president. Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley said she's unapologetically pro-life, but argued a national ban would never pass through Congress. North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum said such a ban is unconstitutional and the issue should be left up to the states to decide.

Former Vice President Mike Pence and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy faced off. Pence said he's the best prepared and proven conservative in the Republican field. Speaking to Ramaswamy, he argued that "now is not the time for on the job training." Ramaswamy meanwhile said the nation needs an outsider not another "super pac puppet."

On the issue of Ukraine, Vivek Ramaswamy said he was opposed to sending more aid to Ukraine in its war with Russia. His position brought fierce backlash from former Vice President Mike Pence and former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley. Haley accused Ramaswamy of siding with Russian President Vladimir Putin over a pro-American country. She said he has no foreign policy experience and "it shows."