'Trump should not tell women what to do with their bodies': Harris' strong stance on abortion

The Vice President accused Trump of intending to impose a national abortion ban if re-elected, a claim the former President has firmly denied.

In a fiery Presidential debate, Vice President Kamala Harris, on September 10, lashed out at former President Donald Trump for spreading misinformation and "insulting the women of America" with his abortion policies and statements. Harris rejected Trump's assertion of bipartisan support for overturning Roe v. Wade, slamming his "Trump abortion bans" that lack exceptions for rape and incest. She stressed the severe consequences of such bans, highlighting the struggles of women denied essential care.

The Vice President accused Trump of intending to impose a national abortion ban if re-elected, a claim the former President has firmly denied. He argued that such decisions should remain at the state level. When asked whether he would veto a federal abortion ban, Trump did not provide a direct answer, asserting instead that Congress would not pass such legislation.

Launching a sharp attack on the former President, Harris stated, "Now, in over 20 states, there are Trump abortion bans, which make it criminal for a doctor or nurse to provide healthcare. In one state, it provides prison for life. Trump abortion bans that make no exception, even for rape and incest, which, understand what that means, a survivor of a crime of violation to their body does not have the right to make a decision about what happens to their body".

She added, "Next, that is immoral, and one does not have to abandon their faith or deeply held beliefs to agree the government and Donald Trump certainly should not be telling a woman what to do with her body"

Harris noted that since the 2022 overturning of Roe v. Wade, at least 14 states have implemented total abortion bans, and 27 have imposed gestational restrictions, according to the Guttmacher Institute. Trump, who praised the Supreme Court’s decision made by justices he appointed, argued that abortion regulations should be managed at the state level and dismissed the need for a national ban.

"But understand, if Donald Trump were to be re-elected, he will sign a national abortion ban. Understand, in his project 2025 there would be a national abortion ban," she further added.

Harris vowed to reinstate Roe v. Wade if elected, sharply criticising Trump’s potential to sign a national abortion ban as outlined in his Project 2025. "I pledge to you when Congress passes a bill to put back in place the protections of Roe v Wade, as President of the United States, I will proudly sign it into law," Harris stated.

She highlighted the need to protect reproductive rights and argued that personal decisions about one’s own body should not be subject to government control.

In their Philadelphia debate, Harris confronted Trump over his Supreme Court appointees' role in overturning Roe v. Wade, which she termed as leading to “Trump abortion bans.” Trump defended his stance, asserting that he supports exceptions for cases of rape, incest, or threats to the mother’s life, despite many state bans having few or no exceptions.

Trump framed his actions on abortion as a significant achievement, stating, "For 52 years, this issue has torn our country apart. I did something that nobody thought was possible."

Harris, however, slammed Trump for spreading falsehoods about abortion. "Nowhere in America is a woman carrying a pregnancy to term and asking for an abortion. That is not happening. It’s insulting to the women of America," Harris stated, condemning Trump's claims as misleading and disrespectful.

Trump also sidestepped a question on whether he would veto a national abortion ban, claiming, “I didn’t discuss it with JD, in all fairness,” despite his running mate, Senator JD Vance, previously stating he would veto such a ban. Trump later stated, "I’m not signing a ban and there’s no reason to sign a ban".

Harris, drawing on her background as a prosecutor, condemned the harsh consequences of existing state abortion bans. She described the dire impacts, stating, “Understand what that means: a survivor of a crime of violation to their body does not have the right to make a decision about what happens to their body next,” calling such situations “immoral.” Harris highlighted cases where young victims of incest could be forced to carry pregnancies to term and where women facing health complications struggle to get necessary care.

Reproductive rights have emerged as a central issue in the 2024 election cycle, with 10 states scheduled to vote on abortion rights on November 5. The Vice President has made this issue a cornerstone of her campaign, capitalising on widespread public support for abortion access.

Democratic nominee Harris and Republican rival Trump faced off for the first time in the September 10 presidential debate, held at 9 pm Eastern Time (01:00 GMT) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This debate comes just eight weeks before the United States general elections on November 5.

During their encounter, Harris and Trump presented their sharply contrasting visions for the country. The Democratic Vice President used the opportunity to challenge Trump on his continued denial of the 2020 election results and to confront his numerous false claims. Trump's response included his typical personal attacks and diversions, which his advisers have been attempting to manage.