“The View” co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin asked Democratic Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs Friday to “clarify” whether she supports any restrictions on abortion following the reinstatement of a near-total ban from 1864.
The Civil War era ban, which the Arizona Supreme Court ruled can be reinstated, prohibits abortions in all instances unless it saves the life of the mother, and makes it plausible for doctors who perform the procedure to face five years imprisonment. Arizona initially enacted a 15-week limit following the U.S. Supreme Court’s overturn of Roe v. Wade, which restricted states from banning abortions before the point of viability.
“I wanted to see if you could clarify your position on abortion. Do you support it up until viability or after? And would you support codifying the 15-week policy that had previously been in place if it added those key exceptions, rape, incest and life of the mother?” Griffin asked.
“What I support is the language in the ballot measure that Arizonans are gonna have a chance vote on in November which is about viability. It leaves the decision between a woman and her doctor. It leaves government and the politicians out of it and that’s where most Arizonans are on this issue,” the governor responded.
The Arizona Abortion Ballot Initiative may appear on the state ballot during the 2024 general election, which would establish “a fundamental right to abortion” before the point of viability, which starts around 22-24 weeks of pregnancy. (RELATED: Whoopi Goldberg Says Republicans ‘Want To Bring Slavery Back’)
Former President Donald Trump opposed the Arizona Supreme Court’s ruling and vowed to not sign a national abortion ban into law if he is reelected president. Republican Senate candidate Kari Lake, who previously ran for governor against Hobbs, spoke out against the ruling.
“I am the only woman and mother in this race. I understand the fear and anxiety of pregnancy, and the joy of motherhood. I wholeheartedly agree with President Trump — this is a very personal issue that should be determined by each individual state and her people,” Lake said. “I oppose today’s ruling, and I am calling on Katie Hobbs and the State Legislature to come up with an immediate common sense solution that Arizonans can support.”
Democratic Arizona Attorney General Kristen Mayes vowed to not enforce the ban and that no doctors will be prosecuted for performing the procedure.