Vice President Kamala Harris criticized former President Donald Trump for his role in eroding abortion rights in the United States during a campaign event in Tucson, Arizona. She directly blamed Trump for the recent Arizona court ruling upholding a 160-year-old law that limits abortion access. Harris accused Trump of taking pride in overturning Roe v. Wade and emphasized that he should be held accountable for the restrictions on reproductive rights in the country.
Despite Trump’s recent statements indicating support for states to decide on abortion laws, Harris warned that his position may be shifting towards advocating for a 15-week ban on the procedure. Her campaign team has been monitoring Trump’s stance on abortion and is prepared to counter any attempts to moderate his position. The campaign event in Arizona, initially focused on student loans, was changed to address the abortion ruling and highlight Trump’s responsibility for the restrictive laws.
Harris’s criticism of Trump marks a shift towards more direct attacks on the former president during campaign events. Her team is concerned that Trump’s potential shift in position on abortion could sway public opinion. The vice president’s ability to speak freely without restrictions under the Hatch Act has allowed her to actively engage in promoting her campaign’s message and connecting the Arizona court ruling to Trump’s influence on reproductive health policies.
Local abortion rights advocates in Arizona have been mobilized by the recent court ruling, with efforts underway to place a ballot measure on abortion rights before voters in November. Groups such as the ACLU of Arizona and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona have collected enough signatures to bring the issue to the public. Harris met with over 100 abortion rights activists and supporters, emphasizing the importance of preventing further restrictions on reproductive rights.
Harris warned that a potential second term for Trump could lead to more limitations on abortion access, increased suffering, and decreased freedom for women. She highlighted the need to resist efforts to turn back the clock on reproductive rights and stressed the importance of protecting the gains made in the fight for women’s health care. The campaign’s focus on Trump’s role in exacerbating the abortion crisis underscores the urgency of the issue in the upcoming election and the need to prevent further restrictions on reproductive rights.
