First lady Jill Biden slammed former President Donald Trump’s record on abortion rights Saturday during the Harris-Walz campaign’s “Fighting for Reproductive Freedom” bus tour stop in Phoenix, according to reporters at the event.
“Secrecy, shame, silence, danger, even death. That was the reality back then, and that’s where Donald Trump has left women today — less safe and less free right now in America. Abortion bans are in effect in more than 20 states across our country. This is really important. The next president will likely choose new Supreme Court justices. Senators will decide whether to confirm them,” Biden said in her speech.
During her seven-minute speech, Biden emphasized the challenges women face post-Roe v. Wade and criticized Trump for appointing Supreme Court justices who curtailed the nationwide right to an abortion.
“Today our daughters and granddaughters are living with fewer rights than we had,” the first lady said, adding that she was “shocked and devastated” by Roe’s repeal, though not entirely surprised. She urged the crowd to support Proposition 139, a proposed amendment to the Arizona Constitution that would protect abortion rights.
Biden concluded her speech by introducing reproductive rights advocate Kate Cox, who shared her story of having to leave Texas to end a life-threatening pregnancy. Cox was a guest of the first lady at this year’s State of the Union address.
The bus tour, which began in Tucson, will make multiple stops in Phoenix and will continue on to Sedona and Flagstaff over the next few days.
