What Trump’s Victory Could Mean for the Future of Abortion Rights
President-elect Donald Trump’s victory in an election in which abortion rights were a heavy focus raises major questions about what might come next for abortion access in the U.S.
Trump’s Varying Stances on Abortion
During the final stages of his campaign, Trump said he thought states should determine their own abortion policies. However, his position on the issue has varied widely – in a March interview, he signaled support for a nationwide ban on abortions after 15 weeks’ gestation, and as president, he supported a House bill that would have banned abortion nationwide after 20 weeks. During his 2016 campaign, Trump pledged to appoint Supreme Court justices who could help overturn Roe v. Wade. As president, he accomplished that goal and has at times boasted about it.
Vice President-elect Mike Pence’s Views on Abortion
Meanwhile, Vice President-elect JD Vance has suggested that he would support a national law limiting abortion. More recently, he adopted Trump’s stance of letting states decide.
Unclear Roadmap for Abortion Rights
The Trump campaign didn’t respond to a request for comment. Because of those inconsistencies, policy experts said, there’s no clear roadmap for the future of abortion in a second Trump administration – though they offered some theories.
Possible Paths to Abortion Restrictions
Some states have added abortion rights to their Constitutions, while two have rejected measures. More likely, experts suggested, are efforts to restrict access to abortion pills, especially when they are administered through telehealth or delivered by mail. Medication abortions accounted for 63% of all abortions in the country last year, according to a March study by the Guttmacher Institute, a research organization that supports abortion access.
Ballot Measures and Public Support for Abortion Rights
Tuesday’s election results signaled continuing public support for abortion rights overall. Ballot measures to protect abortion access passed in seven of 10 states; in Arizona and Missouri, those victories overturned existing restrictions, while the five other states that passed such initiatives didn’t previously restrict abortion.
Challenges to Abortion Rights
Given those outcomes, as well as past voter support for abortion rights, many Republican senators might be wary of supporting a federal ban, experts say.
Expert Analysis
"One option is via Trump’s appointees to the Food and Drug Administration. Those leaders could try to get the agency to roll back certain changes made from 2016 to 2021 (in three presidential administrations, including Trump’s) that expanded access to the abortion medication mifepristone. That could include reinstating a requirement that abortion pills be dispensed in person. The FDA’s new leaders could also try to rescind the licensing of the drug."
Another Path
Another path is for Trump appointees to the Justice Department to choose not to defend abortion pill access when legal challenges arise. Although the Supreme Court dismissed a case in June that sought to restrict access to mifepristone, the attorneys general of Idaho, Kansas, and Missouri filed a similar suit last month.
Conclusion
Trump’s victory raises significant questions about the future of abortion rights in the United States. While there is no clear roadmap for what’s to come, experts suggest that efforts to restrict access to abortion pills, as well as other forms of abortion, are likely. The next few months will be crucial in determining the direction of abortion policy in the United States.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What did Trump say about abortion during his campaign?
A: Trump’s stance on abortion varied throughout his campaign. He has suggested that he supports a nationwide ban on abortions after 15 weeks’ gestation and has supported a House bill that would have banned abortion nationwide after 20 weeks.
Q: What did Trump do with regard to the Supreme Court and abortion?
A: Trump pledged to appoint Supreme Court justices who could help overturn Roe v. Wade and has at times boasted about his success in doing so.
Q: What did Vice President-elect Mike Pence say about abortion?
A: Pence has suggested that he would support a national law limiting abortion and has adopted Trump’s stance of letting states decide.
Q: What is the current state of abortion rights in the United States?
A: Abortion is legal in the United States, but access to it is restricted in many states. The Guttmacher Institute estimates that 92% of U.S. counties have no abortion clinics, and many women have to travel long distances to access the procedure.
