During campaign stops in two crucial swing states on Tuesday, Donald J. Trump avoided discussing abortion but hinted that he would address the issue in the coming week. This move comes after two Florida Supreme Court rulings that have shaken up the 2024 campaign in the former president’s home state. The conservative top court in Florida recently allowed a strict six-week abortion ban to take effect in May and also approved a proposed constitutional amendment guaranteeing access to abortion before viability, around 24 weeks.
These rulings pose a potential challenge for Mr. Trump in the upcoming presidential race. Florida has shifted towards conservatism in recent years, making most statewide elections out of reach for the Democratic Party. However, these decisions will bring abortion to the forefront of the campaign and ballot, a topic that has been instrumental in many recent Democratic victories.
Last month, the former president suggested that he would likely support a 15-week federal ban on abortion, emphasizing that he believes abortion should be a state issue. He also pointed out that anti-abortion activists seeking an earlier ban should focus on winning elections.
Mr. Trump did not delve into the abortion issue during his campaign appearances in Grand Rapids, Mich., and Green Bay, Wis. When asked about his stance on the six-week ban in Florida, he simply stated that a statement would be made the following week. The crowd, supportive of Trump, attempted to drown out the question with chants of “four more years” and “U.S.A.”
The Trump campaign representatives did not provide immediate clarity on the abortion announcement and how it would fit into Mr. Trump’s campaign agenda. This pattern of delayed or undelivered policy plans has been seen before, such as with infrastructure and health care proposals.
President Biden and his campaign seized on Trump’s promise of an upcoming abortion announcement, highlighting Trump’s previous statements about his role in overturning Roe v. Wade and implementing various abortion bans.
Mr. Trump’s campaign released a statement addressing the recent court decisions in Florida, emphasizing his support for preserving life while also advocating for states’ rights and the voters’ right to make decisions autonomously.
Reporting contributed by Michael Gold from Green Bay, Wis., and Anjali Huynh from Grand Rapids, Mich.
