Former President Donald Trump criticized a near-total abortion ban in Arizona last week, calling it too extreme. The ban, which was enacted in 1864, makes providing or assisting with an abortion punishable by up to five years in prison. Democrats in Arizona attempted to repeal this ban during a state House legislative session, but their efforts were shut down by Republicans.
There were two failed votes to discuss the bill that would have repealed the ban. Republican House Speaker Ben Toma defended the ban by stating that some believe abortion is equivalent to the murder of children. The ban has faced opposition from within the GOP, including from Trump and Arizona Senate candidate Kari Lake.
Trump expressed his belief that the ban had gone too far and suggested that it needed to be “straightened out.” The law prohibits most abortions, including in cases of rape and incest, unless the pregnant person’s life is in danger. Prior to the ban being reinstated, abortions in Arizona were allowed up to 15 weeks of pregnancy.
Despite the pushback against the ban, efforts to repeal it were unsuccessful. The future of abortion rights in Arizona remains uncertain as the debate continues between supporters and opponents of the 1864 ban.