Ron “DeSanctimonious” DeSantis might just end up getting his revenge on Donald Trump, but not in the way he initially anticipated.
The Florida Supreme Court approved the governor’s draconian six-week abortion ban on Monday, which he pursued as part of his presidential campaign, hoping to out-extreme Trump and the other Republican candidates. It will take effect in 30 days, with the state’s prior 15-week abortion restriction in place until then.
The ruling by the state’s high court is truly horrifying. However, there is a glimmer of hope as the court has also decided to include an amendment protecting abortion rights on the Florida ballot in November. This presents an opportunity for voters to reject Governor DeSantis’ ban on abortion. Looking at previous elections, it is likely that this issue will significantly drive voter turnout.
DeSantis and Florida’s Supreme Court lend Biden a hand
There is no way to spin these developments in the Sunshine State that favors Trump, the Republican nominee for president.
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- Embrace the six-week ban he pilloried and tell his supporters to oppose the abortion-rights protection amendment.
- Maintain his opposition to the six-week ban and support the abortion-rights protection amendment, something he can’t do without alienating evangelical voters.
- Say that when he becomes president, he’ll override the six-week state ban with a federal abortion ban at 15 or 16 weeks, which would be a gift to President Biden’s reelection campaign.
Oh, Ron, if only you had strategized this as a means of retaliating against the individual who gave you the moniker “Ron DeSanctimonious,” perhaps folks would perceive you as shrewd.
A six-week abortion ban in Florida is basically a complete abortion ban
In Monday’s rulings, Florida’s conservative Supreme Court ruled that the state constitution does not protect abortion rights. That reinstated Florida’s existing 15-week abortion ban.
DeSantis signed the six-week restriction into law last April, with the intention of it starting 30 days after a Supreme Court ruling upholding the 15-week prohibition. So the clock on that begins now.
For Floridians, a six-week ban is practically a total prohibition on abortion because most people are unaware they are pregnant until six weeks. It will also significantly restrict abortion availability in the South.
Lauren Brenzel, campaign director for Floridians Protecting Freedom, which battled to place the abortion amendment on the state’s 2024 ballot, told The Washington Post that “there is nowhere in the Southeast that can absorb Florida’s patient base.” It’s just not feasible. That is simply an insurmountable number of patients to try to transfer to another state.”
Trump is going to struggle to reckon with this Florida ballot issue
The ban imposed by DeSantis will have tangible effects even before the November election, making it an issue that Trump cannot ignore.
Trump has made ineffective attempts to navigate this issue, claiming credit for the overturning of Roe v. Wade and later criticizing DeSantis’ state ban. However, he has been vague in his statements, mumbling about potential deals to be made regarding a national abortion ban.
During a CNN town hall in May, Trump was questioned about whether he would approve a 15-week federal abortion ban. However, instead of giving a direct answer, he chose to emphasize his intention to negotiate and ensure the satisfaction of the people involved.
Recent Fox News poll shows widespread support for abortion access
I’ll use a Fox News report from last week to summarize voters’ opinions on the matter: “Nearly two years after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, a record number of voters think abortion should be legal, with two-thirds favoring a nationwide law guaranteeing access, according to a Fox News national survey.”
That is “guaranteeing” access, not prohibiting it.
According to the study, 59% of voters think abortion should be legal in all or most situations. Furthermore, 54% oppose a federal abortion ban lasting 15 weeks, with significantly more opposing more severe measures.
Biden will still have an uphill fight in Florida, but this changes outlook
Ever since the overturning of Roe, Republicans have struggled with this contentious issue. Trump, however, seems to be at a loss when it comes to navigating this particular topic, unlike his usual adeptness at maneuvering through various challenges.
Thanks to DeSantis, the GOP primary opponent who was vanquished and humiliated by Trump, the dance has become significantly more complicated.
And Florida, the obviously bright-red state that boasts Mar-a-Lago and Trump himself, has suddenly become a whole lot more fascinating.
