Donald Trump said Wednesday that an Arizona law that criminalizes nearly all abortions goes too far and the former president called on Arizona lawmakers to change it, while also defending the overturning of Roe v. Wade that cleared states to ban the procedure.
“It’ll be straightened out and as you know, it’s all about states’ rights,” Trump told supporters and journalists after landing in Atlanta for a fundraiser. “It’ll be straightened out, and I’m sure that the governor and everybody else are going to bring it back into reason and that’ll be taken care of, I think, very quickly.”
Quick Read
- Abortion Law Critique: Donald Trump criticized Arizona’s stringent abortion law, suggesting it needs revision, while emphasizing his role in the overturning of Roe v. Wade which led to states imposing their own abortion laws.
- States’ Rights Stance: Trump reiterated his belief that abortion regulations should be determined by individual states, aligning with his earlier statement that refrained from supporting a national abortion ban.
- Political Implications: Abortion rights have become a contentious issue in the political landscape, with Democrats viewing it as a potential weakness for Trump among voters, especially after his recent comments.
- Arizona’s 1864 Law: Following an Arizona Supreme Court ruling, a pre-statehood law from 1864 that imposes a near-total ban on abortions is set to be enforced, lacking exceptions for rape or incest, which Trump suggests is excessive.
- Supreme Court Influence: Trump expressed pride in his Supreme Court appointees who played a pivotal role in overturning Roe v. Wade, highlighting his influence on the court’s composition and its decisions.
- Florida’s Abortion Law: Trump also commented on Florida’s six-week abortion ban, hinting at the possibility of changes to the law and expressing support for exceptions in cases of rape, incest, and risks to the mother’s life.
- Public Opinion and State Laws: Trump’s remarks underscore the complex dynamics of abortion rights in the U.S., with varying state laws reflecting diverse public opinions and the ongoing debate over federal versus state jurisdiction in regulating abortion.
The Associated Press has the story:
Trump says Arizona’s abortion ban goes too far, defends Roe v. Wade overturning
Newslooks- ATLANTA (AP) —
Donald Trump said Wednesday that an Arizona law that criminalizes nearly all abortions goes too far and the former president called on Arizona lawmakers to change it, while also defending the overturning of Roe v. Wade that cleared states to ban the procedure.
“It’ll be straightened out and as you know, it’s all about states’ rights,” Trump told supporters and journalists after landing in Atlanta for a fundraiser. “It’ll be straightened out, and I’m sure that the governor and everybody else are going to bring it back into reason and that’ll be taken care of, I think, very quickly.”
Trump faces political pressure on abortion rights, which Democrats hope will be a defining issue in November’s election, after issuing a video statement this week declining to endorse a national abortion ban and saying he believes limits should be left to the states. His earlier statement angered religious conservatives and energized allies of President Joe Biden who see abortion rights as one of Trump’s weaknesses.
The Arizona Supreme Court ruling on Tuesday cleared the way for the enforcement of an 1864 law that bans abortion at all stages of pregnancy with no exceptions for rape or incest.
Trump maintains he is proud that the three Supreme Court justices he nominated voted to overturn Roe v. Wade, saying states will have different restrictions. He supports three exceptions in cases of rape, incest and when the life of the mother is at risk.
He also spoke about a Florida law that bans abortions after six weeks, saying that “is probably maybe going to change also.”
“For 52 years, people have wanted to end Roe v. Wade, to get it back to the states. We did that. It was an incredible thing, an incredible achievement,” he said. “Now the states have it, and the states are putting out what they want. It’s the will of the people. So Florida is probably going to change.”
Trump ignored questions about how he plans to vote himself on Florida’s pending state constitutional amendment that would enshrine abortion access as a right of his home state’s residents. He did not elaborate on what he thinks the level of restrictions and access should be in Arizona or any other state.
