Last week, former President Donald Trump spoke out against a near-total abortion ban in Arizona, calling it too extreme. The ban, which was enacted in 1864 and makes providing or assisting with an abortion punishable by up to five years in prison, has faced opposition from both Democrats and Republicans.
During a state House legislative session, Democrats attempted to repeal the ban but were shut down by Republicans. There were two failed votes to discuss the bill that would have repealed the ban. Republican House Speaker Ben Toma defended the ban by stating that some believe abortion is equivalent to the murder of children. The ban has also faced opposition from within the GOP, including from Trump and Arizona Senate candidate Kari Lake.
Trump expressed his belief that the ban had gone too far and suggested that it needed to be “straightened out.” Under the law, most abortions are prohibited, including in cases of rape and incest, unless the pregnant person’s life is in danger. Prior to being reinstated, abortions in Arizona were allowed up to 15 weeks of pregnancy.
Despite the pushback against the ban, efforts to repeal it were unsuccessful. As a result, the future of abortion rights in Arizona remains uncertain as the debate continues between supporters and opponents of
