Former President Donald Trump recently revealed his stance on abortion, saying he believes that states should decide their own restrictions. But one Democratic lawmaker says women aren't buying it.
"American women are not going to be conned by Donald Trump and his comments about abortion," Senator Tina Smith of Minnesota told ABC's George Stephanopoulos on Sunday.
"We know that he is the one who is responsible for what's going on in Arizona and all over the country," she added. "He is responsible for these abortion bans, and I think he's going to be held accountable for that come the election in November."
The Arizona Supreme Court last week issued a ruling that allows prosecutors to enforce a near-total abortion ban that was initially adopted in 1864. It prohibits abortion at all stages of pregnancy with exceptions only to save the life of the mother.
On Friday, Trump said he thought Arizona "went too far" but did not call for a specific course of action, such as repealing or watering down the law. He did say that "ideally" abortion restrictions should include exceptions for rape, incest and the life of the mother.
According to The Associated Press, 14 states are currently enforcing bans on abortion at all stages of pregnancy, and two have them in place after about six weeks of pregnancy, before many women realize they are even pregnant.
Smith said Trump's position is "totally clear," even if he's trying to sit on the fence.
"First of all, he said that he is the person who is proudly responsible for overturning Roe," Smith said, explaining that Trump appointed three U.S. Supreme Court justices during his time in the White House who overturned the law in 2022. "That is what has caused all of this chaos and cruelty to the one in three American women who live in states where abortion is now basically banned."
"The other thing he said just a couple of days ago is that these state bans are working the way they should," she added. "So ask a woman in Arizona or Texas whether she thinks this is working for her. Because, for her, this isn't a political discussion. This is about her personal life and her decisions that she can make for herself about her own life."
Trump has not responded publicly to Smith's comments.