The issue of abortion is important in the US election campaign – and sensitive for the Republicans. Trump has so far tried not to commit himself. After Arizona reactivated a law from 1864, he now positioned himself.
Where does Donald Trump stand on the controversial issue of abortion? For months, the designated presidential candidate did not want to decide whether, for example, he was in favor of a nationwide ban from the 15th week of pregnancy or earlier. The Republican has now released a four-minute long video. Key message: Trump wants to stay out of it and leave it at the status quo. Abortion is now a matter for the individual states. And that’s how it should stay, said the ex-president: “Whatever they decide is then the law.” In some places there will be stricter or more liberal rules. And that’s okay too.
People have to follow their hearts on this issue – but, said Trump: “We also have to win the elections – to save our culture and our country.” Personally, he is also in favor of more exceptions, in the case of incest, rape or if the mother’s health is at risk.
Abortion opponents accuse Trump of treason
The outcry from the anti-abortion camp followed promptly: “We are very disappointed!” said the evangelical podcaster Rebekah Haynie on CNN, for example. That Trump does not clearly support the basic right to life from conception and instead, like the left, speaks of “abortionright“Speaks – this is a real step backwards and even a betrayal. And the evangelicals threatened that this could cost Trump the votes of this important group of voters.
“Trump and his Republicans have maneuvered themselves into a dead end on the issue of abortion,” says Jessica Waters, an abortion law expert at the American University in Washington. Since the basic right to abortion was abolished by the Supreme Court almost two years ago, 17 states have passed almost complete bans on abortion, many as early as the sixth week and with almost no exceptions.
But even if this pleases the evangelicals: According to surveys, a clear majority of Americans are fundamentally in favor of the legal possibility of abortion. Trump knows full well that the gap between Republican politicians and the electorate on this issue is growing, said Waters. The issue of abortion cost the Republicans a lot of votes in the midterm elections. Now Trump is trying to please all sides as much as possible: “I think he speaks like that out of fear.”
Arizona enforces 1864 law
The example of Arizona shows how sensitive the issue is for Republicans: one day after Trump’s statement on abortion, the Supreme Court there decided that a law from 1864, i.e. from the time of the Civil War, when Arizona was not yet a state, would come into force again in the future and women were not yet allowed to vote. This means that abortions are prohibited from the moment of conception. And doctors who perform abortions may face up to five years in prison.
Trump then declared that this was going too far. But Arizona lawmakers would still find a way. Waters is certain: “This is exactly the situation he doesn’t want. Because it doesn’t help his party or its candidates that such an extreme law now applies there.”
Are Democratic voters mobilized?
Arizona is one of the potentially decisive “swing states” that sometimes vote for Democrats and sometimes for Republicans. Incumbent Joe Biden narrowly won there in 2020. Waters believes the issue will mobilize his supporters. Because in November, Arizona, like half a dozen other states, will not only vote on the presidency. But also about anchoring the right to abortion in the state constitutions.
In similar referendums in recent months, there has always been a majority in favor – even in conservative states like Ohio and Kentucky. Waters’ conclusion: “The results show that this issue mobilizes Democratic voters. That’s how it has been for the past two years. And I think it will be that way in November too.”
Julia Kastein, ARD Washington, tagesschau, April 11, 2024 12:28 a.m