Even Trump can’t back the controversial Texas abortion law

Former President Donald Trump has refused to say that he supports the new controversial Texas abortion ban.

In an on-camera interview with Sharyl Attkisson for the US news show Full Measure, Trump would not confirm if he agrees with the Supreme Court ruling that allowed the so-called “Heartbeat” law to pass.

The law bans abortions after the point at which medical professions can detect cardiac activity – usually around six weeks.

Many women don’t know they’re pregnant before six weeks, meaning the law will have huge ramifications for those who do not wish to have a child.

The law also criminalises anyone that helps a woman seek an abortion after six weeks as private citizens are permitted to take legal action against doctors or anyone else who assists. Citizens who win their lawsuits can receive up to $10,000.

In this first on-screen interview since serving in office, Trump suggested the ruling would be “temporary”.

Interview host Sharyl Attkisson asked: “Both sides seem to agree that that ruling is largely your doing based on the Supreme Court picks that you made. Do you agree with the ruling?”

In his response, the former president refused to say if he agreed with the ruling, or whether his part in choosing Republican-supporting, conservative Supreme Court justices, including Amy Coney Barrett who replaced the liberal Ruth Bader Ginsburg, had any bearing on the outcome.

Trump replied: “I know that the ruling was very complex and also probably temporary. I think other things will happen and that will be the big deal and the big picture.”

He then claimed he had people “studying” the ruling and appeared to suggest some action in the future, but it is unknown what that may be.

Trump suggested: “So we’ll be announcing something over the next week or two weeks.”