Former President Donald Trump spoke out against an Arizona law that criminalizes nearly all abortions, calling on lawmakers to change it while also defending the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Trump, who has appointed three Supreme Court justices who voted to overturn Roe v. Wade, has faced backlash from Democrats campaigning on abortion rights. He issued a video statement declining to endorse a national abortion ban and emphasizing that limits should be left to the states, angering some religious conservatives and energizing allies of President Joe Biden.
The Arizona Supreme Court recently ruled in favor of enforcing an 1864 law that bans abortion at all stages of pregnancy with no exceptions for rape or incest, only allowing abortions if the mother’s life is in jeopardy. This decision greatly altered the legal landscape for terminating pregnancies in Arizona, potentially putting doctors at risk of prosecution. Trump has expressed pride in the justices he nominated for overturning Roe v. Wade, but he supports exceptions in cases of rape, incest, and when the life of the mother is at risk.
Biden’s campaign spokesman, Michael Tyler, criticized Trump for overturning Roe v. Wade and banning abortion whenever possible, attributing the current chaos and suffering to the former president’s actions. Trump also commented on a Florida law that bans abortions after six weeks, hinting that it might change. The Florida Supreme Court recently upheld the state’s ban on most abortions after 15 weeks, setting the stage for potential further restrictions. Trump highlighted the importance of returning abortion laws to the states, allowing them to reflect the will of the people.
Trump did not disclose how he plans to vote on Florida’s pending state constitutional amendment that would protect abortion access. He also did not provide details on what level of restrictions or access he believes should be in place in Arizona or other states. Trump emphasized the significance of states having the power to set their own abortion laws, praising the achievement of overturning Roe v. Wade and allowing states to determine their own restrictions. The issue of abortion continues to be a contentious one in American politics, with both sides firmly entrenched in their views.
