“I think they could do that,” said the GOP presidential candidate of a scenario straight out of “The Handmaid’s Tale,” a dystopian novel.
The GOP nominee’s description of a scenario that evokes the futuristic novel” The Handmaid’s Tale” reads,” I think they might do that.” The GOP nominee’s description of a scenario that evokes the futuristic novel” The Handmaid’s Tale” reads,” I think they might do that.”
“I think they could do that,” said the GOP presidential candidate of a scenario straight out of “The Handmaid’s Tale,” a dystopian novel.
LOADINGERROR LOADING. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump said states with abortion bans should be free to monitor pregnant women to make sure they don’t terminate their pregnancies, suggesting that would be in line with his newfound position of leaving abortion rights up to the states.. “I think they might do that,” Trump said in a TIME interview published Tuesday, when asked if he thinks states with abortion bans should track women who are pregnant.. Advertisement. “Again, you’ll have to speak to the individual states,” he continued. “Look, Roe v. Wade was all about bringing it back to the states.”. After months of giving mixed messages on abortion rights, Trump declared a few weeks ago that his position is that it’s up to states to decide their own laws.. But his position has long been that he opposes abortion rights.. He campaigned in 2016 on nominating conservative Supreme Court justices who would overturn Roe v. Wade. That is exactly what happened, and the three justices he put on the court were the driving force behind a ruling that removed the country’s 50-year constitutional right to abortion.. Trump’s positioning now, by putting the onus on state governments, aims to absolve him of any responsibility for restrictions that GOP-led states are currently placing on abortion. Reproductive rights are going to be a huge issue in the November elections, and Trump is trying to appear neutral on an issue he’s never been neutral on.. Advertisement. But the problem he’s created for himself — and for Republicans following his lead — is that by saying he supports states doing whatever they choose, he is implicitly accepting whatever restrictions they may impose, including steps as extreme as monitoring pregnant women to stop them from having abortions.. In his TIME interview, Trump, who is currently facing 88 felony charges in four criminal trials, repeatedly declined to answer questions about whether he is comfortable with states punishing women who getillegalabortions in states where the procedure has been severely restricted or banned. Fifteen states currently have near-total abortion bans.. “I don’t have to be comfortable or uncomfortable,” he said. “The states are going to make that decision. The states are going to have to be comfortable or uncomfortable, not me.”. Pressed on how he feels about the prospect of women being prosecuted for having abortions in state with abortion bans, the twice-impeached former president said it doesn’t matter what he thinks.. “It’s irrelevant whether I’m comfortable or not,” said Trump. “It’s totally irrelevant, because the states are going to make those decisions.”. Advertisement. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump refused to say whether he’d be OK with anti-abortion states monitoring pregnant women to make sure they don’t have abortions.. Pool via Getty Images. Elsewhere in the interview, Trump said he wouldn’t “have to do anything about vetoes” if Congress were to pass a national abortion ban. He also said he has an opinion on GOP efforts to ban abortion medication, “but I’m not going to explain.” He hinted he may have an opinion in the next two weeks.. President Joe Biden’s campaign manager, Julie Chávez Rodriguez, said Trump’s latest comments “leave little doubt” about what his presidency would mean for Americans.. “If elected he’ll sign a national abortion ban, allow women who have an abortion to be prosecuted and punished, allow the government to invade women’s privacy to monitor their pregnancies, and put IVF and contraception in jeopardy nationwide,” Rodriguez said in a statement.. “November’s election will determine whether women in the United States have reproductive freedom, or whether Trump’s new government will continue its assault to control women’s health care decisions,” she said. “With the voters on their side this November, President Biden and Vice President Harris will put an end to this chaos and ensure Americans’ fundamental freedoms are protected.”. Advertisement. Support HuffPost. Our 2024 Coverage Needs You. Your Loyalty Means The World To Us. At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.. Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.. Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your contribution of as little as $2 will go a long way.. Can’t afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.. As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That’s why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.. Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we’ll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can’t find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.. Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.. Can’t afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.. Dear HuffPost Reader. Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.. The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?. Dear HuffPost Reader. Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.. The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you’ll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.. Support HuffPost. Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.. Related. Donald TrumpAbortion2024 electionsreproductive health. Trump Says He’d Use Local Police For His Massive Immigration Crackdown. Why Some Abortion Rights Groups Aren’t Backing Pro-Choice Amendments. Florida’s 6-Week Abortion Ban Is About To Go Into Effect. Anti-Abortion Extremist Will Be On The Presidential Ballot In 12 States
