Graham hopes Arizona Legislature ‘will revisit’ controversial court ruling on abortion

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said Wednesday that he hoped the Arizona state Legislature “will revisit” the state’s Supreme Court’s ruling upholding a near-total abortion ban in the state. 

“I couldn’t agree more,” Graham wrote on the social platform X, posting a link to a Politico article noting former President Trump’s comments in the aftermath of the state Supreme Court ruling. Trump said in his remarks that he believed Arizona’s high court went too far on the issue. 

“I hope that the Arizona legislature, like Alabama, will revisit this ruling and try to find a consensus,” Graham added. 

The Arizona state Supreme Court issued a ruling on Wednesday upholding an 1864 law that bans abortion in all circumstances, with exceptions only for life of the mother.

It also imposes jail time for doctors who perform the medical procedure. 

Some Republican lawmakers spoke out against the ruling in the aftermath, including Arizona GOP Reps. David Schweikert and Juan Ciscomani, who reside in swing districts. 

Arizona Senate candidate Kari Lake (R) also came out against the state Supreme Court ruling, saying in her statement that, “I oppose today’s ruling, and I am calling on [Gov.] Katie Hobbs and the State Legislature to come up with an immediate common sense solution that Arizonans can support.” 

Trump was asked Wednesday about the Arizona court’s ruling and said it went too far. 

“And that will be straightened out. And as you know, it’s all about states’ rights. That will be straightened out,” he added. “And I’m sure that the governor and everybody else are going to bring it back into reason, and that will be taken care of, I think, very quickly.” 

The Arizona ruling came just one day after Trump had released a video outlining his position on abortion, saying he deferred to the states to handle the issue. 

“The states will determine by vote or legislation or perhaps both, and whatever they decide must be the law of the land. In this case, the law of the state,” Trump said in his remarks. 

Graham notably voiced his disagreement with Trump’s position, writing on X “I respectfully disagree with President Trump’s statement that abortion is a states’ rights issue.” 

The issue could complicate Republicans’ electoral prospects in the Grand Canyon State as the ruling puts the issue of abortion front and center before voters. Arizona is also among a handful of key swing states that will determine both which party wins the White House and controls the Senate.