Abortion: a troubling issue for Trump's Republicans
Demise of Roe v. Wade has galvanised the pro-choice vote
![A woman holds a sign that reads: pro-life would be regulating guns, not this with a picture of a uterus](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/DfZGZYmRcVj7tRLXdYZkAX-415-80.png)
"Donald Trump has an abortion problem," said Eric Levitz on Vox. He's ahead of Joe Biden on most election issues, but trailing badly on this one. It's an awkward subject for him. It was his judicial appointments that enabled the overturning two years ago of Roe v. Wade, the 1973 supreme court ruling that introduced a constitutional right to abortion. The fulfilment of a decades-long Republican goal, this was perhaps the most significant achievement of his presidency.
But voters haven't responded well to "the avalanche of abortion bans" that have followed Roe's demise, making the issue a growing liability for Trump and his party. Last week, he sought to neutralise the matter with a neat bit of triangulation. In a statement, he voiced his objection to late abortions, and his belief that rape victims should always be able to get the procedure, but said it should be left to each state to decide its own policies.
This was smart positioning, said Marc A. Thiessen in The Washington Post. No president has delivered the "pro-life movement" more victories than Trump. Some are upset that he has chosen not to back a federal abortion ban at 15 weeks, but he's just being "honest": a national ban would never have got through congress. Trump's move defuses the issue; individual states, America's "laboratories of democracy", have always been the appropriate place to decide this question. It also allows Republicans to go on the offensive, pointing out that Democrats, who object to any limits, are the real "abortion extremists".
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-320-80.jpg)
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
But the ripple effects from Roe's demise are going to cause plenty more problems for the Republicans, said Jim Newell on Slate. The day after Trump's statement, the Arizona supreme court ruled that an 1864 law banning almost all abortions could come back into effect. Trump rushed to distance himself from the decision, insisting that the situation would somehow be "straightened out". Among those now trying to repeal the 1864 ban is the Republican US senate candidate Kari Lake, who back in 2022 called it a "great law".
For 50 years, GOP politicians have been able to get away with "mouthing off" about abortion to pro-life supporters, safe in the knowledge that Roe would prevent any of their plans coming into effect. Now that Roe is gone, the political bill is coming due as red states bring in those illiberal measures. And the reminders "will come again, again, and again".
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
One Aldwych: where London's creative spirit takes centre stage
The Week Recommends This five-star Covent Garden hotel is the epitome of elegant independence
By Julia O'Driscoll, The Week UK Published
-
Charlotte Dujardin and equestrianism's dark side
In the Spotlight Olympic gold medallist and dressage star's suspension over horse whipping brings abuse in horse sports back into the spotlight
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Why Roman epic Those About to Die has split the critics
Talking Point Sword and sandals miniseries starring Anthony Hopkins puts spectacle above story
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
Why is China stockpiling resources?
The Explainer The superpower has been amassing huge reserves of commodities at great cost despite its economic downturn
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
ICJ ruling: will 'damning verdict' stop Netanyahu?
Talking Point The UN's top court has ruled Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories breaks international law
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
The GOP is Donald Trump Jr.'s party now
In The Spotlight The former president's gun-loving, live-streaming adult son has emerged as more than just his father's namesake — he's become a Republican powerhouse of his own
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
For God and country: is religion in politics making a comeback?
Talking Point There are many MPs of faith in the new Labour government despite it being the most openly secular House of Commons in history
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
The attack on Donald Trump
Opinion We've seen this kind of shooter before
By Susan Caskie Published
-
74 things Donald Trump has said about women
Feature The former president has a long history of controversial remarks about the opposite sex
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
DHS opens review of Trump assassination attempt
Speed Read An independent panel will investigate the Secret Service's handling of the shooting
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Can Kamala Harris beat Trump?
Today's Big Question Some senior Democrats are unsure the vice-president can win in November even as party closes ranks behind her
By The Week UK Published