Former President Donald Trump criticized Sen. Lindsey Graham on Truth Social for advocating a federal ban on most abortions after 15 weeks. Trump accused Democrats of being pleased with Graham’s position, as they want the issue of abortion to remain contentious. Trump urged Graham to focus on other pressing issues such as border security, wars, and economic challenges instead of pushing for abortion restrictions, which he believes should be decided by the states, according to legal experts on both sides of the debate.
Despite the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade in June 2022, Graham called for federal legislation to limit abortions after 15 weeks with exceptions. This move was met with criticism from Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who preferred addressing the issue at the state level. The proposal became a talking point for Democrats during the 2022 midterms, where Republicans did not perform as well as anticipated. However, Graham still believes that federal regulation is necessary to address the issue of abortion.
Following the midterms, Graham acknowledged that abortion may have impacted Republican performance in certain areas but noted the success of pro-life Republicans in competitive races. He remains steadfast in his support for federal laws restricting abortion, despite Trump’s assertion that the matter should be decided at the state level. Graham emphasized that the pro-life movement is focused on protecting the well-being of unborn children, regardless of geography, and announced plans to introduce a bill requiring anesthesia for unborn children during abortions at 15 weeks.
Graham dismissed the argument that abortion is solely a states’ rights issue, citing the need for a national consensus to limit late-term abortions. He mentioned that many European countries have restrictions on abortions between 12 and 15 weeks, indicating the global stance on the issue. Graham’s proposed bill aims to ensure that unborn children are provided with pain relief during abortions, emphasizing the scientific evidence that fetuses can feel pain by 15 weeks. He believes that the US should follow the lead of other nations in regulating abortion to protect the unborn.
Trump’s criticism of Graham’s stance on abortion reflects the ongoing debate within the Republican party regarding federal legislation on the issue. While Trump and some members of the party believe that abortion laws should be determined by the states, Graham and others argue for national consistency to safeguard the rights of unborn children. The disagreement highlights the broader divide within the GOP on critical social issues, including abortion, and underscores the challenges of defining a cohesive party platform that appeals to a diverse electorate across the country. Ultimately, the debate around abortion legislation is likely to continue as politicians grapple with balancing competing interests and priorities in shaping the nation’s laws and policies.
