WATCH: Trump Says Arizona Abortion Ruling Went Too Far: ‘Amends Will Be Made’
On a recent Wednesday, Donald Trump, the assumed lead for the GOP nomination, articulated strong disdain toward the recent ruling by the Arizona Supreme Court. The court’s decision reinforced an 1864 law that makes abortion illegal under all but one circumstance – when the mother’s life is in immediate danger. Should anyone defy this law by assisting in the act of an abortion, they would be facing a criminal penalty ranging between two to five years in prison. This law revives from the annals of history, harking back to the days before Arizona was officially dubbed a state in 1912.
The Copper State has now joined a roster of nearly two dozen states that have adopted a strong stance against abortion, functioning under either an outright ban or severe limitations. Interestingly, the court’s verdict was set just one day after Trump declared, much to the surprise of many, his refusal to endorse a blanket national abortion prohibition. In his mind, each state should be granted the right to handle the matter independently.
When asked about the Arizona Supreme Court ruling, Trump did not waver in his judgement, ‘Yes, they did go too far. But rest assured, amends will be made. It all hinges on the sacred principle of state’s rights. It will be adjusted back to reason, I know Governor and everyone else will ensure that.’ He expressed confidence that this matter will be remedied expeditiously.
Highlighting the power of the people, Trump added, ‘This is precisely what I’ve been advocating – a flawless system. For over half a century, there has been a call to terminate Roe v. Wade and return the power to the individual States. We brought about this transformation. It’s an astounding achievement. Now, we let the states decide, reflecting what their constituents want.’
President Trump asked if “Arizona went too far” after its Supreme Court ruled in favor of a near-total ban on abortion:
“Yes they did. And that will be straightened out.” pic.twitter.com/Zp7yXFMRrz
— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) April 10, 2024
President Trump asked if “Arizona went too far” after its Supreme Court ruled in favor of a near-total ban on abortion:
The former President cited changes on the horizon, ‘Expect things to change in Florida. Arizona will undeniably reevaluate its stance; everyone wants it.’ Trump found an ally in Kari Lake, Arizona Senate candidate, who voiced her disapproval of the court’s decision. Lake asserted the need for a pragmatic resolution to the matter.
‘I stand unique in this race, being the only woman and mother participating,’ Lake noted, referring to her Democratic adversary, Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ). She empathizes with the trepidation of pregnancy and the bliss of motherhood. Expressing solidarity with President Trump, Lake emphasized, ‘This deeply personal matter must be adjudicated by each state and its citizenry. I can’t support today’s ruling. I implore Katie Hobbs and the State Legislature to work immediately on a universally agreeable solution for Arizonans.’
Lake firmly believes that the final verdict will rest in the hands of Arizona voters when the time to cast ballots in November arrives. In a rapid response, Governor Katie Hobbs did not hold back, vowing to challenge the court’s ruling. On X, Hobbs wrote, ‘A dark shadow looms over Arizona today. We stand just two weeks away from enforcing one of the most stringent abortion prohibitions in the nation. However, Arizona women must know that the fight isn’t over. I will not quit until every woman’s right to an abortion is secure.’
This ruling from Arizona’s supreme court follows the recent shift in national opinion that we’ve seen regarding legislative restrictions on abortion, given the 2022 overturning of Roe v. Wade by the Supreme Court. The case in Arizona was instigated by a group of pro-life supporters insisting on a reversion to an earlier 1901 law. This came about after the then Governor Doug Ducey (R-AZ) sanctioned a 15-week abortion ban in 2022.
The scenario escalated when an appellate court demanded the two pre-existing laws of 1901 and 2022 be ‘synthesized,’ leading to the current ruling by the Arizona Supreme Court. There is no ruling out the possibility that this topic will come to the forefront of politics in the Copper State.
Arizona for Abortion Access, an organization championing the right to abortion, is reported to have marshaled sufficient signatures to push for a referendum on this contentious issue in the upcoming November ballot. According to NBC News, the organization has gained an impressive number of 506,892 signatures so far. They have until July 3 to submit these signatures to the office of the Secretary of State.
Despite the disapproval of some, the decision of the Supreme Court has, with no doubt, cemented views of many across the nation. As Trump and others have emphasized, it ultimately rests on the pivotal principle of state’s rights, allowing each state to define its own laws and norms according to its constituents.
Nevertheless, the conservative pro-life and liberal pro-choice groups remain locked in a contentious battle. The recent decisions in Arizona have stoked the fires of a conflict that has raged for more than half a century. The reversion to an 1864 law, which predates Arizona’s status as a state, is without a doubt a stark reminder of the distance that this issue has journeyed and its irreversible impact on our nation’s social fabric.
Rather than conform to a universal decision that imposes a blanket law across the entirety of the nation, it seems that the route of state-by-state decision making is gaining momentum. Whether this is a step forward or backward is up for intense debate, and with both sides passionately arguing their case, there is no easy resolution in sight.
Only one thing is certain in these tumultuous times – the passionate discourse surrounding the controversial issue of abortion will continue to polarize the political scene for a long time to come. A common consensus is unlikely to transpire anytime soon, as deeply held beliefs will continue to fuel discord and controversy on both sides.
Despite this uncertainty, it’s clear that regardless of one’s personal beliefs, fostering an informed and respectful dialogue is paramount. It’s no minor task though, maintaining respect in the face of fierce disagreement, but it’s a challenge we must strive to face as we navigate through this multi-faceted and highly complex issue.
Whatever the final outcome may be, one thing remains undebatable: the voice of the people is an undeniable force. As we anticipate the November ballot, there is no denying that the fate of this law lies with the citizens of Arizona. Whether one views the legislation as progress or regression, it stands as an unmistakable testament to the power of democracy.