Former President Trump spoke out against Florida’s proposed Amendment 4, which would allow for unfettered abortion access across all nine months, calling it “radical” in an exclusive interview with Fox News. The amendment seeks to end Florida’s 6-week abortion ban by enshrining abortion in the state’s constitution. Trump expressed his disagreement with the 6-week ban, stating that it is too short, but also criticized the nine-month allowance as “unacceptable.” He specifically referenced the extreme cases in some states where babies can be executed after birth, calling it unacceptable and stating that there needs to be a middle ground between the two extremes.
Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law the Heartbeat Protection Act in 2023, which makes abortion after six weeks illegal in Florida. Trump praised this law while reiterating his opposition to abortions in the ninth month. He emphasized the need to find a balance between the extreme positions on abortion, suggesting that the six-week ban is too short, but the nine-month allowance is unacceptable. Trump had previously caused confusion over his stance on the proposed amendment, stating that winning elections is crucial and hinting at a pro-life stance while not being absolute.
Former President Trump also took credit for the overturning of Roe v. Wade in June 2022, calling it the “biggest WIN for LIFE in a generation.” He credited his nominations to the Supreme Court as instrumental in achieving this milestone. Trump has previously referred to himself as “the most pro-life president” in American history, highlighting his commitment to the pro-life movement. Amendment 4 in Florida is sponsored by a group called “Floridians Protecting Freedom” and has garnered enough signatures to make it onto the ballot, showcasing the division within the state on the issue of abortion access.
The debate over Amendment 4 in Florida reflects a broader national conversation on abortion rights and restrictions. Pro-lifers have criticized Trump’s shifting stance on abortion, with some viewing his opposition to the proposed amendment as a betrayal of the pro-life movement. Trump’s remarks on the need for a middle ground between extreme abortion positions and his emphasis on finding a balance in legislation reflect the complexities of the abortion debate. The controversy surrounding Amendment 4 and Trump’s stance on abortion underscores the ongoing division and debate within the United States on this contentious issue.
The Florida Department of Elections has confirmed that Amendment 4 has met the signature threshold required to make it onto the ballot. The amendment’s language specifies that no law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patient’s health. The Trump campaign did not provide immediate comment on the issue, leaving room for speculation on how the former president’s stance on abortion may influence the debate and outcome of Amendment 4 in Florida. The upcoming vote on this amendment will be closely watched as it has the potential to shape abortion access and restrictions in Florida for years to come.
