After months of dodging questions about his thoughts on abortion, former President Donald Trump said abortion laws should be left up to the states.
In an announcement on Truth Social on Monday, Trump said he was proud to be the president responsible for overturning Roe v. Wade. In 2016, Trump campaigned on appointing right-leaning justices to the Supreme Court who would overturn Roe.
“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,” Trump said. “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 said.
Trump’s position drew fire from anti-abortion heavyweight group Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, which had a close relationship with the former president’s administration but has criticized him since he left office.
“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 said in a statement 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.”
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.
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.
“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,” said Brian Hughes, senior adviser to the Trump campaign. “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 also said Democrats support abortion up to or after birth, including executing the baby after birth. Vice President Kamala Harris has pushed back on these claims, calling them “ridiculous” and a “mischaracterization.” Ninety percent of abortions are performed within the first trimester of a pregnancy, or up to 12 weeks.
President Joe Biden has campaigned against Trump’s stance by attempting to use his claim of being the president to overturn Roe against him.
In Trump’s announcement, he advised his followers to “follow their heart” on the matter of abortion and reminded them to vote.
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“This is all about the will of the people. You must follow your heart or, in many cases, your religion or faith,” Trump said. “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 for them. A majority of the public supports a 16-week ban.