It is no surprise that Donald Trump chose April 8, 2024 to announce his clearest position yet on the thorniest issue worrying Republicans.
I expected to be upstaged.
On Monday, as millions of Americans watched wall-to-wall media coverage of the most spectacular solar event in years, Trump released a two-minute video outlining how he, as president, would address the issue of abortion.
Nearly two years after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade – eliminating the constitutional right to abortion – the issue remains a third issue in American politics.
In fact, voter reaction in the 2022 and 2023 midterm elections provided ample evidence that the Roe The decision will represent something of a headache for the Republican Party in November.
So what is Trump’s big plan?
Well, it’s about – basically – doing nothing.
‘The states will determine [abortion laws] by vote or legislation… and what they decide must be the law of the land,’ he said in his message published in Truth Social.
To be clear, this is just a reiteration of the status quo.
It is no surprise that Donald Trump chose April 8, 2024 to announce his clearest position yet on the thorniest issue worrying Republicans. He expected to be upstaged.
Since the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision, rules governing abortions have been left to state legislatures and referendums.
Some states have adopted very strict laws. Gov. Ron DeSantis’ Florida may soon only allow abortions within the first 6 weeks of pregnancy.
Other states have barely imposed any restrictions. Governor Gavin Newsom’s California has even promoted itself as an abortion tourism destination.
But it’s what Trump didn’t say that bothers some conservatives.
Pro-lifers, who, unlike Trump, have deeply held moral views on this issue, are angry that he did not explicitly declare his support for a national abortion ban.
Without a federal law, they argue, liberal states will open themselves to abortions on demand and into the third trimester of pregnancy.
Trump had previously flirted with backing a national 16-week limit that included exceptions for rape, incest and risks to the mother’s life, so the pro-life movement had reason to remain hopeful.
In the end, however, Trump dodged the issue entirely, earning him a rare rebuke from Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, who posted: “I respectfully disagree with President Trump’s statement that abortion is a rights issue.” of the states”.
Sorry, Lindsey, Trump is indeed right.
The federal government can’t do much about abortion in the short term. Neither party can hope to control the 60 U.S. Senate seats needed to pass new legislation. A national ban on abortion is a political impossibility.
Not letting facts stand in their way, the Biden-Harris re-election campaign issued a scathing statement in response to Trump’s announcement insisting that he would sign a national ban if re-elected president.
Not letting facts stand in their way, the Biden-Harris re-election campaign issued a scathing statement in response to Trump’s announcement insisting that he would sign a national ban if re-elected president.
‘Let there be no illusion. “If Donald Trump is elected and MAGA Republicans in Congress put a national abortion ban on the Resolute Desk, Trump will sign it into law,” the statement read.
Let us not get our hopes up: that is totally wrong.
But Democrats perceive a political winner here.
On Monday, the Biden campaign released a brutal new political ad, highlighting the story of Texas woman Amanda Zurawski.
Zurawski sued the state after she was allegedly denied an emergency abortion under the new Texas law. He claims that he did not receive the care he needed until he suffered septic shock.
The video closes with the phrase: “Trump did this.”
The ad is part of a $30 million campaign that will air in battleground states.
Its effectiveness is undeniable, even if its claims about Trump are debatable.
For all the criticism of the former president, he supports exceptions that would have helped Ms. Zurawski and there is no suggestion that he plans to instigate a national abortion ban.
On Monday, the Biden campaign released a brutal new political ad (above), highlighting the story of Texas woman Amanda Zurawski.
When you see Vice President Kamala Harris touring an abortion clinic like any other politician tours a new manufacturing facility, you know where her campaign is headed.
Of course, Biden knows this, but his faltering campaign is banking on stoking fears about abortion restrictions to boost flagging liberal enthusiasm.
When you see Vice President Kamala Harris touring an abortion clinic like any other politician tours a new manufacturing facility, you know where her campaign is headed.
The abortion issue is the only one on which Americans trust Biden more than Trump.
About the economy? Immigration? Forget it.
So, did Trump do the “right” thing politically?
Only time will tell.
But at the end of the day, Trump knows that pro-life voters, no matter how unhappy they are with Monday’s announcement, would rather see hell freeze over than vote for Biden.
What about the undecided, moderate and independent women, whom Trump urgently needs to win in November?
Maybe some have mellowed.
Although the Trump campaign probably hoped they would be watching the eclipse and that when it came time to vote, they would think about the broken southern border, crime in the streets and prices in grocery stores, rather than abortion.