As White's second-in-command, Newman has been cited as "responsible for closing over two dozen abortion clinics in the Southern California area",[5] although that claim has been disputed by others.
[1] His actions led to several lawsuits directed against the organization, including from Planned Parenthood and from the federal Department of Justice (under the terms of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act).
In 1999, following White's resignation, Newman became president of Operation Rescue West, and for the first time was able to draw a salary from his anti-abortion work, having previously had to rely on donations from supporters.
The name change was later the subject of an unsuccessful lawsuit from Randall Terry, the founder of the original Operation Rescue, who claimed that the trademark rightfully belonged to him.
[6] Shortly after the relocation of the organisation, Operation Rescue West launched its "Year of Rebuke" campaign in an attempt at publicizing the names of those with political, professional, and social ties to late-term abortion provider Dr. George Tiller.
In a September 3, 2003 press release Newman stated, "There are many examples where taking a life in defense of innocent human beings is legally justified and permissible under the law.
"[8] In 2000, Newman published the book Their Blood Cries Out, featuring extensive sections comparing Tiller to Adolf Hitler, and likening abortion to "sacrifice to demons".
[16] On November 15, 2019, in a civil lawsuit that was primarily against David Daleiden and The Center for Medical Progress, damages were also assessed against Newman, as a board member of that organization.
He claimed that the late 2000s recession and extreme weather events were in part brought upon by God as retributive punishment because of legal abortion and tolerance for LGBT people.