U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg argued Monday evening that abortion makes men “more free,” prompting quick criticism from pro-life commentators on the right.

Buttigieg spoke during an online #WhiteDudesForKamala event where he praised Vice President Kamala Harris for focusing on freedom in her presidential campaign. President Joe Biden endorsed Harris as the next Democratic nominee when he announced in July that he would no longer seek reelection.

“I’m so glad that she has made freedom the theme of her campaign because in so many ways, that’s what is at stake,” Buttigieg said on the call, which was attended by about 200,000 men, according to The New York Times. “And yes, women’s freedom is Exhibit A, after Donald Trump demolished the right to choose.”

“Of course,” he continued, “men are also more free in a country where we have a president who stands up for things like access to abortion care. Men are more free.”

Buttigieg did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Daily Signal.

His remarks prompted mockery from conservatives on social media such as Greg Price, who tweeted: “Pete Buttigieg says that men are freer when abortion is legal because men can have consequence-free sex and simply kill their unborn babies instead of taking responsibility for them. But JD Vance is weird or something.”

Catholic organization CatholicVote similarly tweeted: “Pro-abortion men want to be ‘more free’ to use women and get out of taking responsibility for their actions.”

“Abortion allows and encourages neglect, coercion, and the abandonment of women while simultaneously ending a life,” chimed in pro-life activist Christine Yeargin. “This is anything but freedom.”

“Yeah, more free to force and coerce women to abort,” said pro-life activist Samantha D., accusing Buttigieg of “true misogyny,” adding, “More hate for women coming from the same guy who stole a baby from his mother so he can call himself ‘dad.’”

Conservative podcaster Allie Beth Stuckey also said, “Pete Buttigieg, on a White Dudes for Kamala call, just said—out loud—that ‘men are more free’ when women have access to abortion. Um, yes. Deadbeats are definitely freer to be deadbeats when they can have unprotected sex with a woman then pressure her into an abortion.”