Former President Donald J. Trump stated in a video message on Monday that he believes abortion rights should be determined by individual states, a stance that follows a period of uncertainty on an issue that he and his team feared could impact his electoral prospects.
Mr. Trump expressed his opinion that states should make decisions through legislation, stating, “whatever they decide must be the law of the land, and in this case, the law of the state.” He also emphasized his support for exceptions in cases of rape, incest, and protecting the life of the mother.
He noted that states may vary in their regulations, with some being more conservative than others, and emphasized the importance of respecting the will of the people. Mr. Trump’s video statement was shared on his Truth Social website.
Politically, Mr. Trump’s position on leaving abortion decisions to the states may provide Democrats with ammunition to criticize him for supporting stringent abortion laws, such as the six-week ban in Florida, which he previously criticized as a mistake. Although he did not mention a potential national ban in his statement, he has reportedly considered supporting one privately.
Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, Republicans have been reevaluating their approach to abortion. Mr. Trump claimed credit for the decision to overturn Roe in the video, falsely stating that all legal scholars supported ending the ruling.
Despite previous discussions about a potential national abortion ban, Mr. Trump’s latest statement disappointed some conservatives who were hoping for stricter measures on a federal level. The president of the anti-abortion group Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America expressed disappointment with Mr. Trump’s stance, advocating for national protections for unborn children and their mothers.
In the past, Mr. Trump has shifted his stance on abortion, initially describing himself as “very pro-choice” before aligning with the “pro-life” position as he entered the political arena. He secured support from evangelical voters in 2016 by pledging to appoint conservative Supreme Court justices who would potentially overturn Roe v. Wade.
Despite his role in appointing conservative justices to the Supreme Court, Mr. Trump has faced criticism for his handling of the abortion issue. Some anti-abortion activists are hopeful that he will prioritize their concerns in a potential second term.
As the debate on abortion continues, Mr. Trump emphasized the need to win elections to shape the country’s future. He urged individuals to follow their convictions on the issue while emphasizing the importance of restoring the nation’s culture and saving the country from decline.
