The rule was created under former president Ronald Reagan in 1984, and has been traditionally used by incoming presidents to signal their positions on abortion rights.

Barack Obama had lifted the gag rule in 2009, when he took office.

Now, eight years later, Trump has reinstated the regulation, also known as the “Mexico City Policy”. In doing so, he has reminded the world that he supports a US abortion ban. On the campaign trail, he said that “there has to be some sort of punishment” for women who have abortions if the practice were made illegal – a statement which he later retracted amongst widespread outcry.

The 70-year-old went on to add that he supports an abortion ban exception for “rape, incest, and the life of the mother”.

‘This will cost women their lives’ Trump signs anti-abortion edict – in a room surrounded by men