The Future of Abortion Rights in Trump's America
On November 6th, in the early hours of the morning, Donald Trump was declared the winner of the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election. Leading up to the election, many pro-choice voters worried that a win for Donald Trump might mean tighter restrictions on abortion and reproductive healthcare. These concerns weren’t unfounded. While Donald Trump’s stance on abortion is often unclear and shifting, it is clear Trump is vehemently against Roe v. Wade, repeatedly asserting that abortion should be within state-based control. With another four years of Trump in office around the corner, Americans are left wondering–what does this mean for the already-precarious future of abortion rights in the U.S.?
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In 2022, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, putting an end to the constitutional right to abortion for all Americans. Three of the five justices who voted to overturn Roe v. Wade were appointed by then-President Trump – Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett. Trump has stated publicly that he is “proud to have terminated Roe v. Wade” – the constitutional amendment that resulted in many states imposing strict abortion regulations. The overturning of Roe v. Wade led to a complete ban on abortion after conception in 13 states. This has left many Americans stuck in abortion deserts – where individuals have to travel over 100 miles to access abortion clinics.
The 2024 election was the first presidential race post-Roe, and we saw abortion on the ballot in 10 states. Of the 10 states, 3 failed to pass measures to protect and/or expand abortion rights: Florida and South Dakota failed to expand their preexisting strict abortion policies, and in Nebraska, an amendment to cement the state's 12-week abortion ban passed, but the right to codify abortion failed (CNN, 2024).
It is somewhat unclear whether or not the Trump administration would support nationwide abortion bans. His views on abortion have shifted over time, and remain largely unclear. It is most recently documented that Trump would not support a complete federal ban on abortion, as he has recently affirmed his stance that abortion should remain in the hands of the state-level government. However, despite the fact that a complete national ban is unlikely, there is substantial evidence that another term with Republicans in the White House could further restrict access to abortion. Most notably, President Trump’s running mate, J.D. Vance, has historically been a pro-life senator, having previously voted against increasing access to IVF treatments. Moreover, another Trump term means more Trump-appointed federal judges and, given his track record, these judges are likely to be conservative, and in turn, likely anti-abortion. The coming years may solidify an era of reproductive inequality, where access to abortion—and, by extension, reproductive autonomy—is dictated by geography, income, and politics. Denying this care, particularly in emergencies, endangers those who need it most.
Abortion can be a life-saving medical procedure, and further restricting abortion not only strips individuals of their freedom to choose what is right for them but can also threaten their lives, especially in abortion deserts. With Trump in the Oval Office, alongside the newly elected Republican majority senate, the stakes are high for abortion rights in America. America risks becoming a nation where reproductive healthcare is a privilege, not a right. For those who believe in bodily autonomy, the fight to protect and expand access to abortion is far from over—it is only just beginning.
Layla (she/her) is a fourth-year Political Studies major, Philosophy minor, and the EDII Director at Political Digest.