Ohio Senator JD Vance, who is running alongside Donald Trump in the 2024 election, recently assured voters that Trump will not push for a federal abortion ban. This assurance comes amid a climate of uncertainty following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in June 2022, which spurred many Republican-led states to enact various abortion restrictions.
After much speculation on Trump’s position, he clarified that he believes abortion laws should be determined at the state level, effectively stepping back from a federal ban. In an April video, he stated, “We want the federal government to focus on these big economic and immigration questions. Let the states figure out their own abortion policy.”
Vance has positioned himself as a strong social conservative and a close ally of Trump since joining the Senate in 2022. Although he previously supported a nationwide abortion ban, he has now aligned his views with Trump’s stance, advocating for state-level decisions on the matter.
During an interview on NBC News’ Meet The Press, Vance was asked if he could assure viewers that Trump would not impose a federal abortion ban if elected. He confidently said, “I can absolutely commit that… Donald Trump wants to end this culture war…” When pressed further about whether Trump would veto federal abortion legislation, Vance reiterated, “I think he would. He said that explicitly.”
Vance faced backlash when discussing sensitive topics, including whether a woman should be compelled to carry a pregnancy to term from cases of rape or incest. In a 2021 interview, he stated, “What kind of society do we want to have? Do we want to have a society that sees unborn babies as inconveniences to be discarded?” This sparked renewed criticism as voters question his views on women’s rights and reproductive health.
Last month on Fox News, Vance defended his comments, claiming his words were misinterpreted by Democrats and emphasizing his desire for a more pro-life society, one that values unborn life.
On the other side, Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris staunchly supports abortion rights and has opposed the state-level bans that have emerged in recent years. Her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, is actively promoting reproductive rights, having successfully passed legislation protecting abortion access in Minnesota—making it a key state for those seeking reproductive health services.