Conservative Republicans Clash as Trump Backs State-Based Abortion Policies, Drawing Pence's Criticism

Former President Donald Trump's recent statement advocating for states to set their own abortion policy has sparked a rift within the Republican Party, drawing criticism from conservative members who support a national ban on abortion, including his former vice president, Mike Pence. On Monday April 8th, Pence took to the social media platform X, formerly Twitter, to express his disapproval, stating, "President Trump’s retreat on the Right to Life is a slap in the face to the millions of pro-life Americans who voted for him in 2016 and 2020."

Trump's Announcement

Earlier the same day, Trump made the announcement via a video on Truth Social, asserting his belief that individual states should have the autonomy to determine their own abortion restrictions. This declaration comes at a critical time as abortion rights have become a focal point in the upcoming 2024 presidential election.

Although Trump did not immediately address Pence's criticism, he later pushed back against other Republican critics, warning that a national abortion ban would negatively impact both himself and other GOP candidates in the forthcoming elections. Meanwhile, Democrats dismissed the GOP's internal discord, accusing Trump of attempting to deceive voters regarding his stance on abortion rights.

Trump's detractors highlighted his actions during his presidency, particularly his appointment of three conservative justices to the U.S. Supreme Court, which ultimately led to the overturning of Roe v. Wade, the historic case that had previously safeguarded abortion rights. Trump has been vocal in claiming credit for this reversal as he vies for another term in the White House.

In his video statement, Trump lauded the overturning of Roe v. Wade, while emphasizing that the decision should now rest with individual states, stating, "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."

In contrast, Pence, who distanced himself from the former president following the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, disagreed with Trump's position. He contended that the Supreme Court had returned the issue to the states and "the American people" as a whole, highlighting that a majority of Americans desire minimum national protections for the unborn in federal law.

Joining Pence in rebuking Trump from the right, Senator Lindsey Graham voiced his continued support for a national ban on abortions while advocating for a standard limiting abortion at fifteen weeks, with exceptions for cases of rape, incest, and the life of the mother.