This may be Donald Trump's third consecutive presidential election as a candidate, but it is his first since the Supreme Court's decision to overturn abortion rights, resulting in a drastic change in the political significance of abortion rights, consequently shifting focus to this crucial issue for Democrats in their attempts to defeat him. In a long-awaited statement, Trump finally announced his position on abortion rights in this new era, saying in a video posted on his "Truth Social" platform that he prefers leaving the matter "to the states," evading any nationwide restrictions or bans. He stated, "The states will determine it through voting or legislation or perhaps both, and whatever they decide on this issue." He added, "In this case: state law, many of which will be different, and many will have different numbers of weeks for performing an abortion, or some will be more restrictive than others, and that’s how it will be. Ultimately, it all comes down to the will of the people."
Trump also mentioned that, like Ronald Reagan, he "strongly supports" exceptions to abortion bans in cases of rape, incest, and "if the life of the mother is at risk." He attempted to frame the issue as a referendum on Democrats, stating: "We must remember that Democrats are the extremists on this issue, as they support abortion up to the ninth month and even beyond," citing a familiar talking point within the Republican Party. However, what Democrats will likely use in their advertisements is Trump's claim: "I was, proudly, the person responsible for ending something that all the legal scholars wanted, and both sides called for its end, which is abortion."
In response, Trump's stance was quickly criticized by Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the "Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America" organization, who condemned Trump's statement, while still reiterating the group's commitment to "defeating President Biden" and Democrats in Congress. Dannenfelser, who stated last week that she believed Trump would call for a national 15-week limit, expressed, "We are deeply disappointed by President Trump's position." She continued, "To say that the issue should return to the states cedes the national debate to Democrats who are tirelessly working to enact legislation mandating abortion throughout the nine months of pregnancy."
For his part, former Vice President Mike Pence criticized Trump's most recent position on abortion on Monday. He said, "The presumptive Republican presidential candidate stated on Monday that abortion laws should be left for the states to decide, although he has not taken a position on whether he supports a national limit." He continued, "President Trump's retreat from the right to life is a slap in the face to millions of pro-life Americans who voted for him in 2016 and 2020." The former Vice President stated that the Trump-Pence administration helped push abortion "to the ash heap of history where it belongs" by nominating and supporting conservative judges. He believes that the majority of Americans want "a minimum national protection for the unborn in federal law." Pence concluded, "But today, many Republican politicians are very willing to wash their hands of the battle for life."
