Although Donald Trump hasn’t made anti-abortion policy the center of his 2024 campaign, his track record as president and recent comments make it clear that abortion rights remain at risk if he regains the White House.
A Quiet, Yet Clear Record on Abortion
During his presidency, Trump appointed three conservative Supreme Court justices—Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett—who tipped the balance of the court and ultimately led to the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022 through the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization ruling.
Though Trump later tried to distance himself from the political fallout, he openly celebrated the decision, calling it a “victory for life.”
While he hasn’t emphasized abortion policy heavily in recent months, Trump has repeatedly claimed credit for ending federal abortion protections, and in April 2024, he said abortion policy should be left to the states—effectively endorsing state-level abortion bans and restrictions without directly pushing for a national ban.
Why That’s Still Dangerous
Trump’s “leave it to the states” stance might sound moderate, but it’s already enabling abortion bans in more than a dozen states. As of 2025, 14 states have near-total abortion bans, while several others have significant restrictions—a direct result of the legal vacuum left by Dobbs, which Trump helped create.
Moreover, Trump has not committed to vetoing a national abortion ban should one be passed by a Republican-controlled Congress. He has also surrounded himself with anti-abortion allies and advisors, some of whom openly support a nationwide ban after 6 or even 15 weeks of pregnancy.
Anti-Abortion Actions Beyond the Courts
Under Trump, the Department of Health and Human Services revised Title X family planning rules, effectively cutting funding to clinics like Planned Parenthood that offered abortion referrals.
His administration also supported policies that expanded conscience exemptions for healthcare providers who refused to provide abortion-related care.
In international policy, Trump reinstated and expanded the “Global Gag Rule,” which blocked U.S. funding to foreign NGOs that so much as mention abortion, even with non-U.S. funds—a move widely criticized for undermining women’s healthcare abroad.
The Bigger Picture
Although Trump is not currently campaigning heavily on abortion, his actions speak louder than his silence. His Supreme Court picks have changed the legal landscape for generations.
And his vague, shifting statements suggest a continued willingness to enable anti-abortion legislation, whether through federal power or by empowering restrictive state laws.
In a political climate where abortion rights are under relentless attack, Trump’s record and ongoing influence are more than enough to signal danger—even if the headlines have moved on.