Portrait of Donald Trump
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Donald Trump on Abortion Policy

States determine abortion law (strong) Position evolved

Donald Trump’s position on abortion policy has evolved over time, shifting from a self-described pro-choice stance in the late 1990s to being a vocal opponent during his 2016 presidential campaign and presidency. His most significant impact was appointing three conservative Justices to the Supreme Court, which led to the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022.

Currently, Trump asserts that the legal landscape for abortion should be determined by individual states through votes or legislation, maintaining that he will abide by those outcomes. He has publicly stopped short of backing a federal abortion ban, although he has faced criticism from social conservatives for not supporting a nationwide restriction, and from others for suggesting punishment for illegal abortions in the past.

As President in his second term, Donald Trump has taken executive action to stop the use of Federal taxpayer dollars to fund or promote elective abortion domestically, reinstating the Mexico City Policy to end U.S. funding for overseas abortion-promoting organizations. These actions reflect a consistent policy push against federal funding for abortion, building on his first term's efforts.

Context

Donald Trump's appointments to the Supreme Court are a pivotal factor in the current abortion policy debate, as his three appointees—Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett—voted to overturn Roe v. Wade in 2022. This action removed the federal constitutional right to abortion, fundamentally shifting the issue to the states.

His current stance, emphasizing states' rights to decide the legality of abortion, is a significant pivot from his earlier public statements, causing him to draw criticism from both sides of the issue. His judicial appointments, however, align with the long-standing goal of many social conservatives who sought the reversal of Roe v. Wade.

Timeline

  1. Donald Trump stated he was "strongly pro-choice" in an interview, although he expressed that he hated the concept of abortion.
  2. During a town hall, Trump suggested there should be "some form of punishment" for women who obtain illegal abortions if the procedure were criminalized, but later walked this back.
  3. As part of his 2016 campaign, Trump announced his intention to nominate pro-life justices to the Supreme Court and advocated for defunding Planned Parenthood.
  4. The Supreme Court, with three justices appointed by Trump voting in the majority, overturned Roe v. Wade, returning the legal authority to regulate or ban abortion to the states.
  5. Trump stated his view that since Roe was overturned, the issue is now determined by state votes or legislation, whatever they decide "must be the law of the land."
  6. In his second term, Donald Trump signed executive orders to stop the use of Federal taxpayer dollars for elective abortion and reinstated the Mexico City Policy to halt U.S. funding for overseas abortion promotion.

Actions Taken

  1. Executive Order
    Signed an Executive Order to end the use of Federal taxpayer dollars to fund or promote elective abortion, enforcing the Hyde Amendment.
  2. Presidential Memorandum
    Signed a Presidential Memorandum reinstating the Mexico City Policy, stopping U.S. taxpayer money from supporting foreign organizations that perform or promote abortion overseas.
  3. Judicial Appointments
    Appointed three Supreme Court Justices (Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett) whose votes were instrumental in overturning Roe v. Wade.

Key Quotes

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.

Video posted to social media April 1, 2024 — Stating his position following the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

I didn't mean punishment for women like prison. I'm saying women punish themselves. I didn't want people to think in terms of 'prison' punishment. And because of that I walked it back.

The New York Times Magazine Profile May 18, 2016 — Clarifying his earlier controversial remarks about punishing women for abortions.

I hate the concept of abortion. … But still, I just believe in choice.

NBC's "Meet the Press" interview January 1, 1999 — Stating his position during the late 1990s.

Related Positions

  • Roe v. Wade Reversal (Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization) Donald Trump appointed the Supreme Court majority that overturned this landmark ruling, fundamentally changing abortion legality.
  • Hyde Amendment Enforcement In his second term, Trump signed an order to strictly enforce this amendment, prohibiting federal funding for most abortions.

Comparison

  • Contrast with 2016 Campaign: During the 2016 campaign, Trump supported making the Hyde Amendment permanent law and signing the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, positions that suggest more federal intervention than his current states-rights focus.
  • Contrast with Party Line: While Trump has stopped short of backing a federal ban, some in the Republican party and anti-abortion movement support such a ban, leading to criticism of his current position as not being strongly anti-abortion enough.