Former President Trump on Monday declined to take a position on a potential federal ban on abortion, instead seeking to navigate a political hurdle heading into November, saying the issue is left to individual states. Admitted.
Trump’s lack of clear support drew criticism from some on the right, including prominent anti-abortion groups, while Democrats said his position remained unchanged and accused him of being vague. denounced.
A video message shared on Truth Social early Monday morning was President Trump’s attempt to clarify his views on abortion after months of hesitation. President Trump has flirted with supporting a 15- or 16-week ban and has said for months that if elected he would “negotiate something” that would “satisfy both sides.”
In the nearly two years since the Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade, the issue of abortion has energized Democrats, but President Trump is torn between accepting or downplaying his role in the decision.
The reaction to his remarks shows how the political potential of abortion, and Trump’s attempts to make it a two-way street, could threaten his chances in November. .
“He’s clearly trying to thread a needle that is very difficult to thread, if at all,” said Doug Hay, a Republican strategist. “Depending on who you talk to, you can tell he’s either trying to be moderate about it or doing things that don’t make anyone happy.”
In a nearly four-minute statement, President Trump took credit for ending Roe and expressed support for specific rape, incest and maternal life exceptions. He rejected calls from some groups to accept a nationwide ban and support specific restrictions, arguing that Republicans ultimately must win elections.
“Always follow your heart, but we have to win. We have to win,” President Trump said.
President Trump did not specifically say he opposed a federal ban, instead stating his “view” that “states will decide by vote, by law, or both.” He said that whatever decisions are made must be law.
“The last 50 years of battle over Roe v. Wade have taken this issue out of the hands of the federal government and into the hearts and minds and votes of people in every state,” Trump said. “It really was something. Now it’s up to the state to do the right thing.”
Alyssa Farrah Griffin, former President Trump’s communications director and now a frequent critic of the former president, called Trump’s approach “sensible.”
“Allowing the government to punt while maintaining the ‘conservative’ position that it’s up to the states,” she wrote on X (the platform formerly known as Twitter), adding that “rather than demanding a 15-week ban That’s smart,” he added.
Still, some conservatives expressed disappointment that President Trump did not make further comments.
Trump’s former vice president, Mike Pence, called the statement “a slap in the face to the millions of pro-life Americans who voted for Trump in 2016 and 2020.”
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R.S.C.), an ally of President Trump in the Senate and the first to introduce a bill that would ban abortions after 15 weeks, disagrees with the former president’s position and says that federal He said he would continue to advocate for restrictions on abortion. After 15 weeks, with exceptions.
President Trump fired back at Graham later Monday, saying he was doing a “huge disservice to the Republican Party and our country” by baiting Democrats.
Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, a leading anti-abortion group that has lobbied President Trump to support the 15-week pregnancy ban, said it was “deeply disappointed” by Trump’s announcement. .
But in a sign that Trump holds firm on his conservative support base, the group’s president said he would “work tirelessly to defeat President Biden and the extreme Democratic Congress.”
Kristan Hawkins, president of Students for Life of America, said it makes political sense for President Trump to avoid advocating for the federal government.
Hawkins said in a post on X that a 15- or 16-week ban is not enough and that publicly supporting it would undermine the position of states with stricter policies.
“Mr. Trump was right, and this leaves room for better action in the future,” Hawkins wrote.
Students for Life is one of the collaborative partners of Project 2025. Project 2025 is an effort led by the Heritage Foundation and former Trump administration officials to prepare the policies and workforce for the next Republican administration’s first day in office.
The group outlines how a future Trump administration could use executive authority and government tools to roll back access to abortion without involving Congress, such as revoking approval of the popular abortion drug mifepristone. did.
But on Monday, the attitude of President Biden and his campaign was clear. Officials dismissed suggestions that President Trump is a moderate on abortion or is backing away from the possibility of a federal ban.
“Let’s have no illusions. If Donald Trump is elected and MAGA Republicans in Congress put a nationwide abortion ban on the resolution desk, Trump will sign it into law,” Biden said. said in a statement:
Polls show that one area where voters trust Biden more than Trump is on abortion. A Wall Street Journal poll of voters in battleground states released last week found that 45% of voters have more confidence in Biden on this issue, compared to 45% who back Trump. It was 33%.
The campaign emphasized that Trump stands by Congress, which has placed strict restrictions on access to abortion, and points out that Trump is the reason states can decide to ban abortions in the first place.
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Biden campaign officials said President Trump has not yet said how he will address access to abortion pills. Despite appearing to support states’ rights, he has not said how he will vote on Florida’s November ballot measure that protects access to abortion in the state.
Democratic strategist Michael Starr Hopkins criticized President Trump’s blatant political calculations.
President Trump’s comments show that he is “eclectic on all fronts in terms of what he wants to say.” …Donald Trump is going to be the person we need at this moment. And that’s what makes him so dangerous,” Hopkins said.
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