Former President Donald Trump said on Tuesday, Oct. 1, that he would veto a national abortion ban if he’s reelected. The post came as part of a series commenting on the vice presidential debate.
“Everyone knows I would not support a federal abortion ban, under any circumstances, and would, in fact, veto it, because it is up to the states to decide based on the will of their voters (the will of the people!),” Trump wrote in a post on social media.
This stance could reshape the political landscape as abortion remains a central issue in the 2024 presidential race. Both Democrats and Republicans are vying for voter support on this contentious topic.
Vice President Kamala Harris holds a distinct advantage on the abortion issue, according to recent polls. Democrats have made abortion rights a prominent part of their campaign strategy, pointing to state-level restrictions that were made possible by Trump-appointed Supreme Court justices who cast deciding votes to overturn Roe v. Wade.
Trump repeatedly said abortion should be left up to individual states for the voters to decide. The former president has also expressed support for Florida’s six-week abortion ban.
Critics of Trump’s stance argue that some state-level restrictions have already jeopardized women’s lives.
Tuesday night, during the vice presidential debate, Republican Sen. JD Vance acknowledged the need for Republicans to rebuild trust on abortion issues and called for a more comprehensive approach to family policies.
Trump’s veto announcement could potentially alienate some of his anti-abortion base while appealing to moderate voters.
