His supporters are seeking to attack abortion rights and abortion access from a variety of angles should he regain the White House, including using a long-dormant law from 1873.

Allies of former President Donald J. Trump and officials who served in his administration are planning ways to restrict abortion rights if he returns to power that would go far beyond proposals for a national ban or the laws enacted in conservative states across the country.

Behind the scenes, specific anti-abortion plans being proposed by Mr. Trump’s allies are sweeping and legally sophisticated. Some of their proposals would rely on enforcing the Comstock Act, a long-dormant law from 1873, to criminalize the shipping of any materials used in an abortion — including abortion pills, which account for the majority of abortions in America.

“We don’t need a federal ban when we have Comstock on the books,” said Jonathan F. Mitchell, the legal force behind a 2021 Texas law that found a way to effectively ban abortion in the state before Roe v. Wade was overturned. “There’s a smorgasbord of options.”

Mr. Mitchell, who represented Mr. Trump in arguments before the Supreme Court over whether the former president could appear on the ballot in Colorado, indicated that anti-abortion strategists had purposefully been quiet about their more advanced plans, given the political liability the issue has become for Republicans.

Non-paywall link

  • Kit@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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    9 months ago

    I got my tubes tied years ago and I’m still terrified that I’ll get knocked up since these Republican policies started spreading.

  • Pratai@lemmy.ca
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    9 months ago

    Remember though…. The kids’ll tell you that both sides are equally as bad.

    • Cosmonauticus@lemmy.world
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      9 months ago

      Remember though… The kids’ll tell you you can’t criticize Democrats because Republicans are bat shit insane.

      Seriously I’ve never heard anyone say both sides equally suck, just both sides fucking suck

  • Melody Fwygon@lemmy.one
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    7 months ago

    The best way to prevent misuse of the Comstock Act is to hit them where it hurts. Find out what items their funders sell or trade in the most; then find logical ways to link it to sex or abortion.

    Pretty soon you’ll gum up all trade and they will cry for mercy.