Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer argued that abortion rights are on the ballot in all 50 states in the upcoming elections.
When asked about former President Trump straddling the issue at a recent rally by not mentioning abortion, Whitmer criticized Trump for repeatedly lying to Americans.
NBC’s Kristen Welker said, “Former President Trump held a rally last night. He did not mention the issue of abortion, but earlier this week he noted that abortion laws are left up to the states. he said he wouldn’t support a national ban. How concerned are you that his efforts to straddle the line could effectively weaken this issue for Democrats?”
Whitmer emphasized that the decision about whether and when to have a child should be made by a woman, those she trusts, and her doctor – not politicians.
She noted public opinion supports keeping abortion decisions out of politics.
Whitmer said, “He’s lied over and over again to the people of this country. The only person who should be making a decision about whether and when to have a child is a woman, the people she loves and trusts and her doctor, period. Politicians need to get out of the way and the American people have over and over again told us that those are their exact expectations.”
While some see abortion as an issue for certain states like Arizona and Florida, Whitmer contended it is a national issue because Trump has said he would sign a nationwide abortion ban, threatening the progress made in expanding access in states like Michigan, Ohio and Kentucky.
Whitmer portrayed the presidential election as pivotal for preserving abortion rights across the country.
She added, “So as I speak to people in my state and around the country, it’s very clear, abortion is not just on the ballot in places like Arizona and Florida, it is on the ballot in all 50 states because the former president has said many different times that he would sign a national abortion ban. That’s really a very real possibility that would undo all of the progress we’ve made in states like Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, et cetera. This is on the ballot for every one of us in this presidential election.