Democrats are gearing up to make abortion access a major election issue ahead of November’s vote, targeting former President Donald Trump as they mark the second anniversary of Roe v. Wade being overturned. Democrats have found success in recent elections, attributed to their messaging on the topic.
Trump has attempted to shift attention to the issue by urging his party to focus on the state-by-state debate rather than a national ban, despite facing criticism for his role in appointing conservative justices to the Supreme Court.
“The Democrats will make sure that every voter in America, every single one, knows that Donald Trump is responsible for ripping away reproductive rights,” Democratic National Committee Chairman Jaime Harrison said on Thursday.
President Joe Biden also slammed Trump, saying in a statement on Monday, “Donald Trump is the sole person responsible for this nightmare.”
Biden has accused Trump of taking credit for the Supreme Court’s decisions, claiming the former president has lied about his opposition to a federal ban. Trump’s opponents are seizing on statements where he appeared to welcome state-level restrictions on abortion.
Trump is reportedly urging Republicans to paint the Democratic party as extreme on the issue.
Abortion will likely remain a key focus in the election, with Biden’s camp conducting debate preparation ahead of a televised showdown with Trump. The Democratic party is planning over 50 events across the country with surrogates, supporters, and celebrities, featuring messages from top abortion rights spokespeople including Vice President Kamala Harris and First Lady Jill Biden.
“What do you think happens when the Supreme Court and extremists around the country have taken such a fundamental freedom – like the freedom to make decisions about your body, your own body? You should assume anything could be on the table,” Harris said in June.
