During the presidential debate, former President Donald Trump falsely claimed that Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, supports the “execution” of babies after they are born. Trump’s claim stems from his history of falsely asserting that Democrats support killing babies after birth, as seen in his previous comments about former Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam. Northam’s remarks on a hypothetical scenario sparked controversy, with accusations of supporting “born-alive abortions.” However, infanticide is illegal in every state, and Harris and Walz have never supported it.
Vice President Harris is known for supporting the restoration of Roe v. Wade, which protects the right to abortion until the fetus reaches viability outside the womb. The Biden-Harris administration endorsed the Women’s Health Protection Act of 2022, which aimed to prevent states from banning abortions before viability. As governor, Walz signed the Protect Reproductive Options Act in 2023, which codified abortion access in Minnesota. Data shows that late-term abortions are rare and typically occur to save the mother’s life or in cases where the fetus is unlikely to survive long after birth.
Trump’s stance on abortion has been a focal point of his campaign, with him highlighting his appointment of conservative justices to the U.S. Supreme Court. This led to the overturning of Roe v. Wade, effectively ending the constitutional right to abortion. Trump has supported a federal 20-week abortion ban with exceptions, but during the 2024 campaign, he stated that he would not sign a federal ban and believes each state should have the right to restrict abortion as they see fit. Trump recently expressed support for Florida’s six-week abortion ban, despite facing criticism on his previous statements about the law.
In recent interviews, both Harris and Walz have refrained from giving specific details on how far into a pregnancy they believe abortions should be allowed. Harris has emphasized the importance of reinstating the protections of Roe v. Wade and has stated that no woman in America is carrying a pregnancy to term and asking for an abortion. Walz’s signing of the PRO Act in Minnesota reflects the state’s stance on abortion access, which does not prohibit abortions past the stage of viability. Data shows that late-term abortions are uncommon and often done for medically necessary reasons. Florida has a proposition on the November ballot regarding abortion rights before fetal viability, highlighting the ongoing debate on the issue across different states.
