GOP’S abortion hypocrisy

Ever since the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, abortion has been a defining issue in state and federal elections.

That will hold true this presidential year, as made clear in Arizona, where the state’s Supreme Court revived an 1864 law that all but bans abortion.

The decision has the potential to redefine presidential and U.S. Senate races in Arizona, a key swing state.

There almost certainly will be a ballot measure in November to restore abortion rights, a motivating force that could have big implications for the race between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, as well as the U.S. Senate race between Democratic U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego and Republican Kari Lake.

Republicans have been twisting themselves into hypocritical knots about the Arizona decision. Lake has celebrated overturning Roe and also expressed support for the 1864 law but now says the Arizona decision is “out of step with Arizonans.”

Trump, in rejecting a national abortion ban, recently expressed support for states’ rights when it comes to abortion. But after the Arizona decision, he said the court went too far.

Of course, the Arizona decision is an outgrowth of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision, and Trump redefined the court by appointing three justices who voted to overturn Roe. And if Arizona’s abortion ban is too far, then what of Texas’ abortion ban?

As Republicans scramble and backtrack over the consequences of overturning Roe, voters should take note of their hypocrisy.