During a campaign rally in Arizona, Vice President Kamala Harris strongly criticized former President Donald J. Trump for his role in a court decision upholding the state’s near-total ban on abortion. She accused Trump of being directly responsible for the decision and labeled the ban as “Trump’s abortion bans.”
The Arizona Supreme Court ruling allows the enforcement of a 160-year-old law banning almost all abortions, without exceptions for rape or incest. This decision came shortly after Mr. Trump expressed his belief that abortion should be a state issue.
Democrats, led by Ms. Harris, have capitalized on the Arizona law, with the Biden campaign launching a new messaging campaign highlighting Trump’s involvement. Abortion rights groups in Arizona have organized rallies in response to the ruling.
The issue of abortion has become a central focus in Democratic campaigns nationwide, with President Biden polling better than Mr. Trump on this particular issue. Despite Trump’s disapproval of the Arizona law and other extreme restrictions, his allies have plans to impose federal restrictions on abortion if they win the White House.
Ms. Harris emphasized the potential impact of the Arizona law on women’s rights, warning of more bans, suffering, and less freedom under a second Trump term. She positioned herself as a vocal advocate for reproductive rights, contrasting with President Biden’s more subdued approach to the issue.
The prominence of abortion in the presidential race has provided Ms. Harris with an opportunity to expand her profile as vice president. She has been actively campaigning on the issue and recently visited an abortion clinic, solidifying her role as a key figure in the abortion debate.
Critics, such as the president of the National Right to Life Committee, have accused Biden and Harris of fear-mongering and propaganda instead of seeking real solutions for women facing unplanned pregnancies.
Ms. Harris’s strong stance on abortion sets her apart from President Biden, who has a more nuanced history with the issue due to his Catholic faith. She argues that freedom includes the right to make decisions about one’s own body without government interference.
Original reporting by Lisa Lerer.
