During a rally in Atlanta, Vice President Kamala Harris took aim at former President Donald Trump, addressing his insensitive response to the tragic death of a Georgia mother due to abortion complications.
Harris highlighted the case of Amber Thurman, who passed away after complications related to an abortion pill, shortly after Georgia enacted stringent abortion laws post-Roe v. Wade reversal in 2022. “Donald Trump still refuses to take accountability for the pain he has caused,” Harris remarked.
She criticized Trump’s recent Fox News remarks, where he suggested that the Thurman family’s media presence would boost ratings. “Where is the compassion for a grieving family?” she questioned. “He belittles their sorrow, making it all about himself. It’s sheer cruelty.”
Harris emphasized the Democratic commitment to restoring a national right to abortion if they reclaim the White House and Congress. Thurman’s family had previously expressed gratitude to Democratic nominee Tim Walz for discussing her story in a debate.
They declared, “Amber’s death was a direct result of Georgia’s dangerously restrictive abortion laws that denied her essential care. We condemn the Republican agenda that seeks to further limit women’s healthcare.” They highlighted the need to fight against laws that endanger women’s lives and appreciated leaders advocating for compassionate, sensible legislation.
Harris laid blame for Thurman’s death at Georgia’s restrictive laws, which were enforced following the Supreme Court’s decision upheld by three Trump-appointed justices. While in office, Trump had pushed for a national 20-week abortion ban but failed to get it passed.
Although he did fulfill a key pro-life aim by nominating justices that led to the Roe v. Wade overturn, he recently suggested on Fox News that the issue had long divided the country and should be returned to the states.
The landscape of abortion access has dramatically shifted, with fourteen Republican-led states now imposing total abortion bans, while many Democratic states have enacted protections for abortion rights.
As early voting begins in Georgia, with over 1.2 million ballots cast, Harris urged participation, reminiscing about how former President Jimmy Carter voted by mail shortly after his 100th birthday. Furthermore, recent polling shows abortion and reproductive rights are the main concern for 23% of voters in swing states.
Additionally, the survey highlighted that a notable percentage of voters in Georgia (29%) and North Carolina (27%) prioritize healthcare, while those in Nevada (20%) express a strong focus on abortion and reproductive rights.