Trump Reportedly Favors 16-Week National Abortion Ban

Former President Donald Trump reportedly favors a 16-week national abortion ban, with exceptions for rape, incest and the safety of the mother, according to a report by the New York Times.

This would be Trump’s first public stance on abortion since the beginning of his campaign.

Trump has boasted of his role in overturning Roe vs. Wade and called himself, “the most pro-life candidate ever” all while professing a need to find a middle ground on this issue, frequently blaming hardline pro-life ideology for Republican losses at the ballot box since the overturning of Roe.

Trump has been clear about favoring the three exceptions (rape, incest, health and safety of the mother) and has been dismissive of the vice presidential pick who doesn’t share this view. However, when questioned on his stance, Trump frequently says it is a state’s rights issue.

The issue of abortion has proved again to be a tough one for Republicans.

Nationally, abortion rights and access are favored, but factions within the Republican Party want to see more restrictive abortion laws. Pundits speculate Trump has not made a direct statement on his stance on the issue yet because he is waiting to lock up the nomination and not alienate more socially conservative Republicans.

Kristen Hawkins, President of Students For Life Action, a pro-life activist group, said in a statement that a 16-week limit would still allow for many abortions and “would make no one happy.”

Pro-choice advocates have bashed Trump for supporting a national ban.

Jenny Lawson, executive director of Planned Parenthood Votes, said in a statement, “We’ve long known where Donald Trump stands on abortion and it’s at odds with the majority of Americans. He is chiefly responsible for the ongoing public health crisis that has allowed 21 states to ban all or some abortions and yet he claims to want to find a ‘compromise’ on the issue. To be clear there is no compromising on the basic right to control our lives and bodies.”

President Joe Biden, who has centered on abortion rights and women’s access to reproductive care, blasted Trump for his position.

“After being the one responsible for taking away women’s freedom, after being the one to put women’s lives in danger, after being the one who has unleashed all this cruelty and chaos all across America, Trump is running scared, everyone sees through Trump,” the Biden campaign said in a statement.

Karoline Leavitt, the Trump campaign press secretary, said in a statement, “As President Trump has stated, he would sit down with both sides and negotiate a deal that everyone will be happy with.”