Former President Trump Hails Alabama Legislature for Protecting IVF Treatments
Former President Donald Trump issued a video message today arguing that abortion rights should be given to individual states rather than a national abortion ban. During his address, the likely Republican presidential nominee praised the Alabama Legislature for hurrying to adopt a bill last month that provided legal immunity to doctors and IVF clinics.
This followed an Alabama Supreme Court decision that determined frozen embryos have the same legal standing as children. Following the court verdict, the majority of the state’s fertility providers ceased in vitro fertilization. Infirmary Health in Mobile, which has faced many lawsuits for the destruction of stored embryos, has announced that it will temporarily recommence IVF treatment through the end of 2024 before discontinuing it.
Trump stated that Republicans want to “make it easier for mothers and families to have babies, not harder.” This involves advocating for the availability of fertility therapies such as IVF in every state in America.”
“Today, I’m pleased that the Alabama Legislature acted quickly and passed legislation that ensures the availability of IVF in Alabama,” the former president stated on Truth Social. “They did a great and fast job.”
Trump went on to argue that abortion, following the Supreme Court’s rejection of the Roe V. Wade decision last year, is “where everybody wanted it from a legal standpoint.”
He claimed credit for the Dobbs V. Jackson ruling, presumably for appointing three conservative Supreme Court justices during his tenure, adding he is “proudly the person responsible.” He went on to erroneously assert that “all legal scholars on both sides, wanted and demanded” that the 1973 Roe decision be overturned.
“The states will determine by vote or legislation or perhaps both, and whatever they decide must be the law of the land,” he went on to say. “In this instance, the law of the state. Many states will differ. Many people will have a varied amount of weeks, and some will be more conservative than others. Finally, it all comes down to the people’s will. You must follow your heart, which is often your religion or beliefs.”
Trump also stated that, like Ronald Reagan, he supports exceptions for “rape, incest, and the life of the mother.”
Mike Pence, Trump’s former vice president, criticized the statement on social media. According to the Associated Press, Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of SBA Pro-Life America, an anti-abortion rights organization, was “deeply disappointed” by Trump’s position.
“Unborn children and their mothers demand national protection and activism against the barbarism of the abortion industry. “The Dobbs decision clearly allows both states and Congress to act,” she explained.