(USNewsMag.com) – On April 8th, former President Donald Trump weighed in on the debate about abortion rights, stating that it is a decision that should be left to the states.
In a video post on Truth Social, Trump said that from a legal standpoint, “we have abortion where everyone wanted it,” adding that states can now determine abortion rights by legislation or by voters deciding at the ballot box. He said that while states will have different laws, “this is all about the will of the people.” In the statement, Trump said it will be up to the voters to decide the fate of abortion access in some states.
In the video, Trump said that he “proudly” was “the person responsible” for Roe v. Wade being overturned by the Supreme Court, allowing the issue to be controlled by the “hearts, minds, and vote of the people” in the individual states.
He did not say if he supports a ban on abortion after a certain number of weeks. However, he did reiterate he supports exceptions to abortion bans for instances such as sexual assault, incest, or if the mother’s life is in danger. He previously called six-week state abortion bans “terrible.”
Trump’s statement on Truth Social comes as a Florida state Supreme Court ruling will allow the state’s six-week abortion ban to become law.
People on both sides of the issue criticized Trump’s statement.
The leading anti-abortion group, Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, said it was “deeply disappointed” by Trump’s statement. During the Republican presidential primary, the group called for the Republican candidate to support a 15-week nationwide abortion ban.
In a statement, President Joe Biden said Trump’s statement makes it clear that he is “responsible for ending Roe v. Wade” and is the person responsible “for creating the cruelty and the chaos” that has followed.
In 14 states, abortion is banned without many exceptions, such as exceptions for cases of sexual assault or incest. Seven states have abortion bans for between six and 18 weeks of pregnancy.
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