Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) attributed last week’s Arizona Supreme Court ruling, which effectively banned almost all abortions in the state, to actions taken by former President Trump during his time in office.
In a recent interview on CBS News’s “Face the Nation,” Kelly expressed her deep concerns about the impact of Donald Trump’s policies on women in Arizona. She emphasized that the restriction on abortion rights in the state has been nothing short of a disaster, depriving women of their fundamental freedom to make choices about their own bodies.
Kelly added that Donald Trump takes full responsibility for the actions that led to the revival of the 1864 law. In fact, just yesterday, Trump proudly proclaimed that he had successfully dismantled Roe v. Wade. As a result, this has paved the way for the enforcement of this oppressive law, which not only strips women of their rights but also has severe consequences for medical professionals, who may now face imprisonment.
On Friday, Trump confidently stated that a federal law to restrict abortion was unnecessary because he believed that his administration had effectively dismantled Roe v. Wade. He praised the efforts of individual states, commending their brilliant execution in implementing measures to limit access to abortion.
Facing criticism, he recently stated that the decision on abortion should be made by individual states, which caused controversy as it seemed he wouldn’t support a nationwide ban.
Trump has been on the defensive ever since the Arizona Supreme Court upheld a century-old law that criminalizes abortion. The law, dating back to 1864, imposes a felony charge and a prison sentence of two to five years for anyone involved in performing or aiding a woman in obtaining an abortion. However, there is a limited exception that permits abortion when it is necessary to save the life of the pregnant individual.
According to the former president, the court’s ruling was an overreach, and he urged Arizona lawmakers to take immediate action to modify the state’s abortion policy. Despite Democrats’ attempts to repeal the 1864 law, Republicans in the state Legislature have blocked their efforts.
In a recent interview, Kelly expressed his hope to secure the right to abortion through a ballot initiative in November. Regardless of the outcome, he anticipates that the ruling will motivate Arizona voters to participate in the upcoming elections.
In Arizona, the primary concern is the impact on women’s health as a result of the 1864 ruling, which was made possible by the former president. There is a fear that women’s lives could be at risk due to this decision. The upcoming election in November is expected to have a high voter turnout, largely driven by this issue.
“I must emphasize that this does not reflect the true essence of Arizona. It is merely a passing phase, and we will overcome it. We have the chance to rectify this situation in November,” he expressed.
When asked for a response, Steven Cheung, spokesperson for former President Trump, directed The Hill to Trump’s previous statement regarding the Arizona abortion ruling. In the statement, Trump criticized the state’s Supreme Court for “going too far” by implementing and endorsing a law from 1864. He also referred to Democrats as the “extremists” when it comes to the issue of abortion.
“So now, it is imperative for the Governor and the Arizona Legislature to take immediate action and address the issue at hand with compassion, logic, and urgency. It is crucial to remember that the responsibility lies in the hands of the states and the elected representatives who truly represent the interests of the people. Ideally, we should prioritize the inclusion of three exceptions: rape, incest, and when the life of the mother is at stake. This is a matter of great significance!” Trump expressed on Friday through his statement on Truth Social.
