Abortion rights groups turn Trump's own words against him in new ads

Donald Trump's recent remark that if abortion is ever outlawed, women should face some "punishment" if they get one illegally, is already proving to be a key source of ammunition for abortion rights groups and pro-Hillary Clinton groups. Several groups, including Planned Parenthood Action Fund, NARAL Pro-Choice America, and Emily's List, are using Trump's comments in ads and releases not only in an attempt to take the Republican presidential frontrunner down, but also to tie the other Republican candidates to Trump's controversial remarks.
"I think the only outrage on the side of Cruz, and of Kasich and the pro-life or anti-abortion opponents is they have been outed by Donald Trump, being kind of the id of the Republican Party," Planned Parenthood Action Fund Executive Vice President Dawn Laguens said on CNN Thursday. "A plan to punish women who seek abortion in this country is not news, it's actually the Republican Party platform."
Trump has since clarified that punishments should focus on those who perform abortions, not on the women themselves.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

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.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Trump DOJ indicts New York AG Letitia James
Speed Read New York Attorney General Letitia James was indicted as Trump’s Justice Department pursues charges against his political opponents
-
Judge blocks Trump’s Guard deployment in Chicago
Speed Read The president is temporarily blocked from federalizing the Illinois National Guard or deploying any Guard units in the state
-
Trump urges jail for Illinois, Chicago leaders
Speed Read The Texas National Guard begin operations in the Chicago area
-
Bondi stonewalls on Epstein, Comey in Senate face-off
Speed Read Attorney General Pam Bondi denied charges of using the Justice Department in service of Trump’s personal vendettas
-
Court allows Trump’s Texas troops to head to Chicago
Speed Read Trump is ‘using our service members as pawns in his illegal effort to militarize our nation’s cities,’ said Gov. J.B. Pritzker
-
Judge bars Trump’s National Guard moves in Oregon
Speed Read In an emergency hearing, a federal judge blocked President Donald Trump from sending National Guard troops into Portland
-
Museum head ousted after Trump sword gift denial
Speed Read Todd Arrington, who led the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum, denied the Trump administration a sword from the collection as a gift for King Charles
-
Trump declares ‘armed conflict’ with drug cartels
speed read This provides a legal justification for recent lethal military strikes on three alleged drug trafficking boats