Former President Donald Trump has called on Arizona lawmakers to act swiftly to address a state Supreme Court ruling that allows prosecutors to enforce a near-total abortion ban. Trump, who has been vocal in his opposition to abortion, has appointed three conservative justices to the U.S. Supreme Court during his term as president. However, his message following the Arizona ruling that the ban is constitutional highlights the political complexities surrounding the issue.
Vice President Kamala Harris spoke out against the ban in Tucson, referring to prohibitions like these as “Trump abortion bans.” President Joe Biden and Harris blame Trump for restricting abortion access, turning it into a major concern for the former president in a key swing state like Arizona that could impact the upcoming election. Trump’s call for the state to ease its abortion law contrasts with his previous statements that abortion rights should be decided by states.
In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump urged the Governor and Arizona Legislature to act immediately to address the abortion ban. While he did not specify a course of action for them to take, he suggested that ideally, any abortion restrictions should include exceptions for rape, incest, and the life of the mother. Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs has called for the repeal of the ban, but faced opposition from the Republican majority in the state House.
The Arizona Supreme Court ruling allows for the enforcement of a law dating back to 1864, which permits the imprisonment of abortion providers at any stage of pregnancy unless the mother’s life is at risk. The law does not include exceptions for pregnancies resulting from rape or incest. Critics of Trump have condemned his actions on abortion, with a Biden campaign spokesperson stating that nothing he says can undo the impact his policies have had on women across America.
Arizona played a crucial role in the 2020 election, where Biden narrowly won the state. The issue of abortion remains divisive in Arizona, with a majority of voters supporting legal access to abortion. The overturning of Roe v. Wade by the Supreme Court was a significant factor for voters in the 2022 midterm elections. The recent ruling in Arizona has reignited the debate over abortion rights, with both political parties preparing for a contentious battle in the state.
