Trump advocates for states to have authority over their abortion laws, US News reports
Donald Trump has expressed his belief that abortion laws should be determined by individual states.
The former president, who is running for re-election in the upcoming US election this November, made this statement as he refrained from endorsing a national abortion ban.
In a video posted on his Truth Social site on Monday, Mr Trump stated: “My view is now that we have abortion legalized, the states will decide through voting or legislation.”
He took credit for the US Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v Wade, claiming responsibility for putting an end to the constitutional right to abortion.
Mr Trump reiterated his support for three exceptions in abortion laws – cases of rape, incest, and when the mother’s life is at risk. He emphasized that different states will have varying laws and regulations on abortion based on the will of the people.
He also falsely alleged that Democrats supported abortion even after the ninth month, insinuating the “execution” of babies after birth.
President Joe Biden and his campaign aim to reinstate the 1973 Roe v Wade ruling, which granted a constitutional right to abortion up to around 23 or 24 weeks of pregnancy before being overturned by the Supreme Court in June 2022.
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Roe v Wade: Abortion rights a year after it was overturned
Following the overturning of Roe v Wade, states led by Republicans have implemented strict laws, with nearly two dozen enacting near-total abortion bans.
Mr Biden’s campaign promptly responded to Mr Trump’s video, accusing the Republican of supporting every abortion ban in the states, including those without exceptions. Campaign spokesperson Ammar Moussa stated: “He’s boasting about his role in creating this problematic environment.”
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Biden’s campaign has responded to Mr Trump’s comments. Pic: Reuters
Abortion remains a highly debated topic in US politics, but surveys indicate that most Americans support its legality during the early stages of pregnancy.
Nearly half of American adults believe that abortion should be allowed up to the 15-week mark, according to a poll conducted by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research in June last year.
Mr Trump’s video follows his recent inclination towards backing a ban on abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, while hesitating to endorse a federal ban.
He has criticized some fellow Republicans for their strict stance on the issue, suggesting that their approach has led to electoral losses.
