Trump Says He Would Veto National Abortion Ban

Topline

Former President Donald Trump said Tuesday for the first time he would veto a national abortion ban if the legislation were to cross his desk in a second term, making clear his stance on Truth Social as the vice presidential debate was underway.

Former President Donald Trump speaks at a press conference in the Discovery Center on October 1, … [+] 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.(Photo by Jim Vondruska/Getty Images)

Getty Images

Key Facts

Trump wrote on Truth Social on Tuesday that he “would not support a federal abortion ban, under any circumstances, and would, in fact, veto it.”

Trump made the statement after his running mate, Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, and Democratic vice presidential candidate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, discussed abortion policy during Tuesday’s debate.

Trump repeatedly refused to say during the Sept. 10 presidential debate with Vice President Kamala Harris whether he would veto a national abortion ban if one passed Congress, and he has shifted his stance several times on the issue since his time in office.

As president, he supported a federal abortion ban, but he told reporters in April he wouldn’t sign a federal ban if elected for a second term.

Get Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts: We’re launching text message alerts so you’ll always know the biggest stories shaping the day’s headlines. Text “Alerts” to (201) 335-0739 or sign up here.

Key Background

Trump has backed away from his endorsement of a national abortion ban during his time in office and has instead backed a state-by-state approach to abortion laws, arguing Roe v. Wade’s reversal has empowered states to make their own abortion policies. Republicans in Congress have largely followed suit with Trump in what Democrats have suggested is a way to distance themselves from the backlash against the 2022 Supreme Court decision. Trump said in September his stance on a national ban essentially didn’t matter, because “this issue has now been taken over by the states.”

Tangent

Vance said in August on NBC’s “Meet the Press” that Trump said “explicitly” he would veto a national abortion ban. He was forced to walk back his statements after Trump refused to make the commitment on the debate stage in September and said he “didn’t discuss it with JD.”

What To Watch For

Democrats have said Trump could effectively ban abortion at the federal level without the approval of Congress through various policy proposals outlined in the Project 2025 agenda written by his allies—though Trump has repeatedly distanced himself from the agenda. Project 2025 and Vance have supported enforcing the Comstock Act, which prohibits mailing any supplies related to abortion, which could be used to ban medical supplies or other equipment related to the procedure from being shipped.