Former President Donald Trump took his criticism of Arizona’s reinstated abortion ban a step further on Friday, calling on the state’s Democratic governor and legislature to stop the 160-year-old law from taking effect.
The 1864 law, which the state’s high court ruled could go into effect, protects unborn children from abortion in every circumstance other than when the life of the mother is in danger. Anyone who aids an abortion is punishable by two to five years in prison, according to the law. Trump said in a statement to reporters on Wednesday that he believes the Arizona abortion law goes too far, adding, “That will be straightened out.”
The former president took to his social media platform Truth Social on Friday to call on Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs and state lawmakers “to remedy what has happened” and “act as fast as possible.”
“The Supreme Court in Arizona went too far on their Abortion Ruling, enacting and approving an inappropriate Law from 1864. So now the Governor and the Arizona Legislature must use HEART, COMMON SENSE, and ACT IMMEDIATELY, to remedy what has happened,” Trump wrote. “Remember, it is now up to the States and the Good Will of those that represent THE PEOPLE. We must ideally have the three Exceptions for Rape, Incest, and Life of the Mother. This is important! Democrats are the EXTREMISTS – They support Abortion up to the moment of birth, and even execution of Babies, in some cases, after birth. This should not be. Arizona Legislature, please act as fast as possible!”
On Thursday, Republicans in the Arizona legislature shut down an effort to vote on a proposed repeal of the 1864 law. A motion to begin the process of repealing the law was introduced by Republican state Rep. Matt Gress, but his GOP colleagues put the effort to rest with a motion to recess. Some Democrats in the state legislature then began shouting “Shame!” at their Republican counterparts.
🚨JUST IN—Democrats in the Arizona state house have hijacked the legislative session shouting "SHAME" and "BLOOD ON YOUR HANDS" at Republicans following yesterday's Arizona Supreme Court's ruling on abortion. pic.twitter.com/0ztaRFhkOd
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) April 10, 2024
The law is set to go into effect 14 days from the Arizona Supreme Court’s Tuesday decision as plaintiffs have the opportunity to challenge the law in a lower court. Even if the law goes into effect in two weeks, whether it would be enforced remains in doubt as Governor Hobbs issued an executive order last year giving the state’s attorney general, who is currently a Democrat, all power to enforce abortion laws.
Trump, who is currently leading President Joe Biden in polling in the crucial swing state, released a statement explaining his position on abortion on Monday, the day before the Arizona Supreme Court came down with its ruling on the abortion law. In his Monday statement, Trump said he was proud of his part in the overturning of Roe v. Wade, adding that abortion laws should be left up to the states.
The Republcian has also said that he supports abortion exceptions for rape and incest, which are not included in the 1864 Arizona abortion law.
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The Arizona law sparked controversy within the GOP as Republicans split on their support or opposition to the abortion ban. Pro-life leaders Lila Rose of LiveAction and Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America President Marjorie Dannenfelser celebrated the Arizona Supreme Court’s decision and what it means for protecting unborn babies in the state, but Arizona Republican Senate candidate Kari Lake, along with Rep. David Schweikert (R-AZ), who are both running in tight races, said they oppose the law.
Lake released her own video statement on Thursday, saying, “This total ban on abortion that the Arizona Supreme Court just ruled on is out of line with where the people of this state are. The issue is less about banning abortion and more about saving babies.”