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‘Will of the people’: Trump clarifies his stance on abortion, states’ rights

April 8, 2024 | | Print Article

Former President Trump clarified his position on abortion via Truth Social Monday, asserting that the decision should be left to the individual states and the “will of the people.”

Trump stated that he was proud to take responsibility for the overturning of Roe v. Wade. That was made possible by pro-life justices whom Trump put forth for the Supreme Court, tilting it to the right.

“My view is now that we have abortion where everybody wanted it from a legal standpoint, the states will determine by vote or legislation or perhaps both, and whatever they decide must be the law of the land,” the former president remarked. “In this case, the law of the state.”

“Many states will be different. Many will have a different number of weeks, or some will have more conservative than others, and that’s what they will be,” Trump added.

The former president’s stance on abortion being a decision for the states was slammed by anti-abortion group, Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America.

“We are deeply disappointed in President Trump’s position. Unborn children and their mothers deserve national protections and national advocacy from the brutality of the abortion industry. The Dobbs decision clearly allows both states and Congress to act,” SBA President Marjorie Dannenfelser put forth in a statement that was given to the Washington Examiner. “Saying the issue is ‘back to the states’ cedes the national debate to the Democrats who are working relentlessly to enact legislation mandating abortion throughout all nine months of pregnancy. If successful, they will wipe out states’ rights.”

Trump had previously criticized Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for his Heartbeat Protection Act (SB 300) that was passed in 2023. The law makes abortion after 6 weeks illegal except in the case of rape, incest, human trafficking, a fatal fetal abnormality diagnosis, or when the pregnant woman’s life is in danger.

“In Florida, where Trump is a resident, the state Supreme Court this month issued a ruling that clears the way for a ban on abortion after six weeks of pregnancy to take effect next month. In a separate decision, the state court approved a ballot measure that, if successful this fall, would undo that ruling and restore the broad abortion access the state had before the overturning of Roe V. Wade,” the Wall Street Journal reported.

“However, Trump did not say at what point abortion should be banned. Last week, he was pressured to give his opinion on a six-week abortion ban set to go into effect in Florida. Floridians will vote in favor or against a 15-week abortion ban in the state this November,” the Washington Examiner reported. “He called Florida’s ban a ‘terrible thing and a terrible mistake’ but did not go into specifics. The abortion ballot measure convinced some Democrats the state could be ‘winnable’ this year.”

Trump’s campaign is adamant that it is an issue for the individual states to decide.

“President Trump supports preserving life but has also made clear that he supports states’ rights because he supports the voters’ right to make decisions for themselves,” Brian Hughes, senior adviser to the Trump campaign, asserted. “Where President Trump thinks voters should have the last word, Biden and many Democrats want to allow abortion up until the moment of birth and force taxpayers to pay for it.”

Trump contends that Democrats support abortion up until the moment of birth and even afterward. He called it an “execution after birth.”

Vice President Kamala Harris heatedly pushed back against the claim, according to the Washington Examiner. She called it “ridiculous” and a “mischaracterization.” The media outlet also pointed out that 90% of abortions are conducted in the first trimester of pregnancy.

Despite Trump clearly stating that he wants the states to decide, Harris is falsely claiming that he wants a national ban on abortion:

While Trump is claiming responsibility for overturning Roe v. Wade, Biden is seeking to use it against him in an attempt to appeal to those who are pro-abortion.

Trump is advising Americans to “follow their heart” on abortion and be sure to vote in the upcoming election in November. He also affirmed his support for in vitro fertilization (IVF) on Truth Social.

“The Republican Party should always be on the side of the miracle of life and the side of mothers, fathers, and their beautiful babies. IVF is an important part of that,” Trump claimed.’

In the end, he believes it should be left up to the voters, not the federal government.

“This is all about the will of the people. You must follow your heart or, in many cases, your religion or your faith,” the former president stated. “Do what’s right for your family, and do what’s right for yourself. Do what’s right for your children. Do what’s right for our country and vote.”

“One in 8 voters in the general election says abortion is the most important matter. A majority of the public supports a 16-week ban,” the Washington Examiner concluded.

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