Despite ceding abortion law to states, Trump can protect the unborn

Former President Donald Trump took a hypothetical political debate about abortion out of the conversation of the 2024 presidential race.

The presumptive Republican presidential nominee announced Monday morning that he thinks abortion is a state matter, meaning he will not pursue a national abortion ban if elected president later this year. It’s understandable, but Trump should pursue some form of an abortion reduction reduction agenda if he wins.

“Many people have asked me what my position is on abortion and abortion rights,” Trump said in a video he posted on Truth Social. “My view is now that we have abortion where everybody wanted it from a legal standpoint, the states will determine by vote or legislation or perhaps both. And whatever they decide must be the law of the land — in this case, the law of the state.”

For Trump, the move makes perfect political sense. Most people are pro-choice — 69% support legal abortion in the first trimester, according to a June 2023 Gallup poll. Because most people are pro-choice, abortion is, unfortunately, a political loser for the GOP that cost the party votes in the 2022 midterm elections.