WASHINGTON: Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has said that decisions regarding abortion rights should be left to individual US states, effectively dismissing the notion of a national abortion ban.
Trump’s announcement, made in a video posted on his Truth Social network, comes after months of speculation surrounding his stance on one of the most contentious issues of the November election.
In the video, Trump emphasized the principle of state autonomy, asserting that states should determine abortion laws through either legislative action or popular vote. He underscored that whatever decision is reached at the state level should be respected as the law of the land within that state.
The statement follows a period of uncertainty fueled by conflicting signals from Trump’s camp. A New York Times article in February suggested that Trump had expressed support for a 16-week national abortion ban in private discussions but was hesitant to publicly address the issue for fear of alienating socially conservative supporters.
The backdrop to Trump’s announcement includes a significant Supreme Court ruling in 2022, which granted states the authority to establish their own abortion laws. This decision has led to a patchwork of regulations across the country, with some states enacting near-total bans while others have reinforced abortion rights.
President Joe Biden and Democrats have capitalized on the issue, emphasizing public opinion polls showing majority opposition to a federal ban. Additionally, Republican losses in recent off-year elections have been linked to voters’ concerns about abortion rights.
In his video statement, Trump reiterated his support for exceptions to abortion bans in cases of rape, incest, and when the life of the mother is at risk. He also affirmed his backing for access to in vitro fertilization (IVF) for couples seeking to conceive, framing it as a positive and beautiful endeavor.
