Trump says he will not block access to mifepristone

Former President Trump said Thursday he would not block access to the abortion pill mifepristone if he returned to the White House.  

“The Supreme Court just approved the abortion pill, and I agree with their decision to have done that, and I will not block it,” Trump said during the CNN presidential debate in Atlanta when asked if he would block abortion medication.  

It’s the most explicit the former president has been to date on the issue of mifepristone and access to the abortion pill, as he’s largely avoided the topic. Trump’s remarks also came on the same day that the Supreme Court ruled that emergency abortions could continue in Idaho in hospitals that receive federal funding. 

The high court ruled earlier this month that it would separately uphold access to the abortion pill.  

Trump has said he would not support federal restrictions on abortion, and he has argued that the issue should be left up to the states. 

At the same time, the former president has taken credit for the overturning of Roe v. Wade after he nominated three conservative justices that would form the majority opinion in overturning the 1973 landmark decision.  

Trump reiterated some of these views while on the debate stage against President Biden. Trump has largely sought to carefully maneuver around the issue given it’s been an energizing issue for Democrats.