Now Kamala has jumped into the tussle.
Vice President Kamala Harris delivered a passionate critique of former President Donald Trump’s influence on the recent abortion legislation passed in the state. Trump’s stance on abortion has been inconsistent, at times claiming credit for the Supreme Court’s decision to roll back federal abortion protections established in Roe v. Wade, yet also causing consternation among anti-abortion Republicans by expressing reluctance to sign a national abortion ban into law during a potential second term.
In contrast, Harris, alongside President Joe Biden and the Democratic Party, has prioritized reproductive rights as a key social issue leading up to the upcoming general election. Democratic strategists and members of the Biden campaign have asserted that defending reproductive rights could even sway traditionally Republican-leaning states like Florida, which Trump carried in both the 2016 and 2020 elections.
Throughout this election cycle, Harris has emerged as a leading advocate for abortion rights on behalf of the Biden administration. Her recent appearance in Jacksonville, Florida marked another stop on her nationwide campaign for reproductive freedom, occurring just hours after the implementation of the state’s controversial six-week abortion ban.
In her address, Harris squarely attributed the proliferation of more than 20 new abortion bans across various states to the influence of Trump’s policies, labeling Florida’s recent law as particularly extreme due to its enforcement before many women are even aware of their pregnancies.
She criticized the architects of these bans, accusing them of either ignorance regarding women’s reproductive health or a callous disregard for it. Harris unequivocally pinned the blame for this healthcare crisis on Trump, emphasizing his unapologetic boasting about his role in shaping such policies.
Drawing a sharp contrast between the two administrations, Harris underscored the Biden administration’s commitment to safeguarding women’s reproductive autonomy, asserting that government interference in medical decisions should be unequivocally rejected.
Moreover, Harris challenged Trump’s public statements, asserting that despite his wavering rhetoric, his past endorsements of national abortion bans and promises to sign such legislation into law reveal his true intentions.
In essence, Harris urged voters to reject what she deemed as Trump’s gaslighting tactics, emphasizing the importance of examining the evidence and following the facts regarding his stance on abortion rights.