Nearly two years ago, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas criticized the Griswold v. Connecticut ruling from 1965, which struck down a state law restricting access to birth control for married couples. Some GOP lawmakers also rejected the Griswold precedent, leading House Democrats to pass the Right to Contraception Act, despite 195 House Republicans voting against it. This raised the question of whether the Republican Party has a problem with birth control, which has recently resurfaced as former President Donald Trump hinted at possible restrictions on contraception during an interview with a local TV station in Pittsburgh.
In response to a question about supporting restrictions on a person’s right to contraception, Trump mentioned that he is “looking at” the issue and plans to release a policy on contraception soon, describing it as “smart.” When pressed further on whether some states could ban certain forms of birth control, Trump avoided a direct answer but promised more information within a week. However, there is skepticism about whether Trump will actually unveil a detailed policy given his history of making promises without following through.
Despite claims that Trump did not try to ban birth control in his first term, his lack of core beliefs raises concerns that he may approve contraception restrictions if returned to power. If a GOP-led Congress were to approve such restrictions, Trump may not resist his allies’ push for regressive policies. Additionally, if red states pursue limits on birth control access, Trump may not intervene on behalf of the public. This makes Trump’s stance on contraception relevant, especially as he keeps his position secret for unknown reasons.
Joe Biden’s campaign manager, Julie Chavez Rodriguez, warned that a Trump victory could jeopardize contraception nationwide. The possibility of Trump implementing contraception restrictions highlights the importance of the issue in the upcoming election and underscores the need for clarity on where candidates stand on reproductive rights. Despite Trump’s ambiguous statements on contraception, his past actions and lack of principles suggest that the threat to birth control access under his administration should not be taken lightly. His silence on the issue raises concerns about potential restrictions if he were to win a second term.
