Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. expressed his opposition to government limits on abortion at both the federal and state levels, advocating for legal abortions throughout the entire gestational period while asserting that the decision should be left to the woman. Kennedy emphasized his lack of trust in the government to have jurisdiction over individuals’ bodies and his commitment to affording affordable child care to alleviate pressure on women facing the decision of abortion due to financial constraints.
Kennedy clarified in a podcast interview with Sage Steele that he does not support government involvement in determining abortion access, stating that the decision should be solely up to the woman. He reiterated this stance even when questioned about full-term abortions, highlighting his stance on leaving the decision to the mother and not involving the government at any level.
Contrary to previous statements made by Kennedy and his running mate Nicole Shanahan, Kennedy’s explicit articulation of his views on state or federal gestational limits on abortion stand out during his interview with Steele. While Shanahan previously indicated that Kennedy supported limits on abortion, Kennedy’s statements to Steele affirm that he believes late-term abortions are horrifying but ultimately the mother should have the final say and moral responsibility in such decisions.
Kennedy has previously wavered on his stance regarding abortion restrictions, initially expressing his support for federal abortion restrictions but later retracting that position after backlash. Despite acknowledging the compelling argument for the government to set gestational limits on abortions, Kennedy ultimately leans towards trusting the woman to make the decision, acknowledging potential instances where unfortunate outcomes may occur due to this stance.
Kennedy emphasized the nuanced nature of late-term abortions, attributing such decisions to extenuating circumstances but reiterating his belief that the mother should have sole agency in making choices regarding her body. He highlighted the complexities and difficulties of such decisions, acknowledging the severity and gravity of terminating a pregnancy at a later stage while affirming his trust in women to make the best choices for themselves.
Critics such as Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America condemned Kennedy for his abortion stance, labeling him as a true extremist for advocating unrestricted abortion access up to full term. The organization expressed concerns over Kennedy’s position to eliminate protections for life at the state level and impose unlimited abortion on demand, characterizing him as unacceptable to pro-life voters. Kennedy’s views and statements on abortion continue to generate debate and controversy, reflecting the ongoing challenges and debates surrounding reproductive rights and access in the United States.
