Senator Lindsey Graham and former President Donald Trump clashed over abortion policy on Monday, with Graham pushing for a federal ban on abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy while Trump argued that the issue should be left to the states. Graham insisted that federal limits should be in place, citing the recent Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade. He stressed that most Americans oppose late-term abortion and that the focus should be on protecting the child, regardless of geography.
In response to Trump’s statement that abortion should be a state issue, anti-abortion-rights advocacy groups expressed disappointment, with Marjorie Dannenfelser of Susan B. Anthony Pro-life America criticizing Trump for potentially ceding the national debate to Democrats pushing for unrestricted access to abortion. Former Vice President Mike Pence also weighed in, calling Trump’s stance a “slap in the face” to pro-life voters. Despite the backlash, Graham maintained his support for federal restrictions on abortion and rejected Trump’s assertion that it could harm GOP electoral prospects.
Graham’s proposed legislation to ban abortion after 15 weeks is part of his ongoing efforts to restrict access to the procedure. Trump, in his social media attack on Graham, suggested that the issue could be detrimental to the Republican Party’s electoral success. However, Graham remained steadfast in his position, arguing that the American people support some limitations on abortion, particularly after a certain stage of pregnancy. He emphasized the importance of aligning the GOP’s messaging with public opinion on the issue.
The confrontation between Trump and Graham highlights a significant division within the Republican Party over abortion policy. While Democrats are seizing on public outrage over the Dobbs ruling to mobilize support for abortion rights, Republicans are grappling with how to respond to the changing landscape. Graham urged the GOP to position itself as the party opposing extreme abortion policies, citing the Democratic position of supporting unrestricted access to abortion up to the moment of birth as unpopular and extreme.
Despite Trump’s past support for Graham’s 20-week abortion ban during his presidency, the former president’s current stance against federal limits is causing tension within the party. Graham did not commit to reintroducing his 15-week ban bill but expressed hope that Trump would reconsider his position if reelected. The uncertainty surrounding Trump’s willingness to sign or veto a federal abortion limit further complicates the issue. Graham emphasized Trump’s previous pro-life record and expressed optimism that Trump would revert to supporting restrictions on abortion if he were to win the presidency again.
