In a high-profile speech in Florida, President Joe Biden boldly singled out his rival, Donald Trump, assigning blame to the former president for the proliferation of abortion bans following the landmark Roe v. Wade decision. Encouraging women voters to support him in the upcoming November election, Biden urged them to reject what he referred to as opponents of reproductive freedom.
According to Biden, it was Trump who took away women’s freedom across the nation by appointing three justices to the U.S. Supreme Court who ruled against Roe. However, Biden emphasized that it is women who possess the political power to resist and counteract this.
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He said that by doing that, it would teach Donald Trump and the extreme MAGA Republicans a valuable lesson: not to mess with the women of America.
Biden’s remarks before the event were anticipated to connect access to contraception, in vitro fertilization, and abortion to the outcome of the upcoming 2024 election. This approach aimed to illustrate the significance of these issues in the current political cycle.
During his speech, the president highlighted the challenges faced by women who are compelled to travel long distances for necessary abortions or who are denied access to emergency care due to restrictive state regulations.
In 2022, he strongly criticized Trump’s stance on the U.S. Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe and handed the issue back to local authorities.
Since that time, twenty-one states have implemented restrictions or outright bans on abortion.
Biden, in a sarcastic tone, referred to a past remark made by Trump regarding the states working brilliantly. He quoted Trump’s statement, “the states are working very brilliantly, in some cases conservative, in some cases not conservative, but they’re working.” Biden then added his own comment, saying, “It’s a six-week ban in Florida, it’s really brilliant, isn’t it? Even before women know they’re pregnant, is that brilliant?”
In addition, Biden highlighted Trump’s association with a recent Arizona Supreme Court decision that could potentially reinstate a strict ban on almost all abortions in the state, dating back to the Civil War era. This ruling may come into effect as early as June.
In his remarks, Biden emphasized that Trump’s stance on the ban goes beyond reason and should be reversed. He even went as far as stating, “Trump is literally taking us back 160 years.”
According to Biden, abortion is not a matter that should be left to the states. Standing in front of a “Restore Roe” sign, he reiterated his commitment to pushing for the codification of Roe v. Wade’s protections through Congress, provided enough Democratic lawmakers are elected and he remains in the White House.
The Biden campaign has been ramping up its criticism of Trump regarding the issue of abortion, particularly his recent position that it should be decided by local officials and voters.
Trump firmly emphasizes his support for three crucial exceptions: rape, incest, and the life of the pregnant woman. Furthermore, he explicitly states that if elected, he will not endorse a nationwide abortion ban, which marks a significant shift from his previous commitment.
Earlier this month, he mentioned that they returned it to the states and it is functioning as intended.
“We will hold Trump accountable,” Biden declared, delivering the bad news to the former president.
In addition, he emphasized that voters should not place their trust in Trump’s current stance on abortion considering his past actions. He questioned, “How many times does he have to demonstrate that he is untrustworthy?”
“He called the Dobbs decision, which overturned Roe, a miracle,” Biden remarked.
Biden jokingly remarked that the unexpected behavior might be a result of Trump’s attempt to sell a Bible. He even quipped about being tempted to purchase one just to find out its contents.
Voters speak
June Johns, a resident of St. Petersburg, Florida and a registered Democrat, expressed her deep concerns regarding the state of women’s reproductive rights in the United States.
“I find it difficult to understand how one can claim to be pro-life without showing concern for the well-being of women,” Johns expressed. “Furthermore, I am here because I firmly believe that Joe Biden presents one of the most promising opportunities to safeguard our democracy.”
Mary Hanrahan, a Democrat from Gulfport, Florida, commended Biden for his visit to the state just before the implementation of a six-week abortion ban next week. Hanrahan specifically praised a proposed initiative aimed at expanding abortion access, which abortion advocates in Florida successfully included on the November ballot.
“I believe it’s imperative for all residents of Florida to cast their votes in favor of Amendment Four, effectively repealing the six-week abortion ban,” Hanrahan emphasized. “The implementation of such a ban is ill-advised, as individuals should have autonomy over their own bodies.”
Abortion ‘will decide this election,’ Dems say
Jen Cox, a Biden campaign adviser in Arizona, emphasized that abortion bans have become a crucial voting issue in battleground states throughout the nation. The outcome of this election will be determined by how voters address this matter.
During a press call prior to Biden’s visit to Florida, Michael Tyler, a spokesperson for the Biden campaign, joined Cox and emphasized the historical success of abortion rights when put to a vote. Tyler stated that “whenever abortion rights have been on the ballot, they’ve won.”
As we approach the November elections, various states, including Arizona, Florida, and Nevada, are considering abortion initiatives aimed at expanding or safeguarding access to abortion. The Biden campaign is highlighting the perceived danger posed by Republicans in relation to abortion rights.
Democrats view this issue as not only energizing their base but also appealing to critical swing voters.
Last year, he openly admitted, “I’m not a strong advocate for abortion.” However, he made an interesting point, stating, “Roe v. Wade, despite my reservations, made the correct decision. It found a balance that aligns with the consensus reached by the majority of religious communities. The ruling, which generally permits abortions up until the second trimester, struck a chord with various religions.”
In January, she embarked on a “Reproductive Freedom Tour” and wasted no time in heading to Arizona this month after the state’s Supreme Court upheld the 160-year-old, near-total abortion ban.
Republicans downplayed Democratic enthusiasm when speaking with ABC News, highlighting the GOP’s success in winning numerous local races. They also noted the Democrats’ previous messaging on abortion, which did not secure election victories for them.
Tyler, in a recent statement to reporters, emphasized the significance of the president’s visit to the state. He firmly rejected the notion that it was mere “window dressing,” asserting that they are taking Florida extremely seriously. Tyler further dispelled the notion that Donald Trump has a guaranteed win in the state, stating that such a belief is far from reality.
Contributions to this report were made by ABC News’ Gabriella Abdul-Hakim, Mary Bruce, Libby Cathey, Fritz Farrow, Molly Nagle, and Oren Oppenheim.
