Trump believes we should exit the culture war regarding abortion.

Senator JD Vance, the Republican vice presidential nominee, recently supported former President Donald Trump’s remarks regarding abortion pills. Vance emphasized that Trump desires these decisions to be made at the state level.

During an appearance on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan,” Vance articulated that Trump’s perspective on abortion has always been clear. He referenced Trump’s comments made at a news conference last Thursday about mifepristone, one of the medications used in early-stage pregnancy termination. Vance noted that Trump had difficulty hearing the question posed, suggesting it led to some confusion in his response.

While Trump has maintained he would not endorse a federal abortion ban if re-elected, his recent comments hint at a possible willingness to impose federal restrictions on mifepristone. This drug is commonly used as part of a two-drug regimen for abortion.

In response to whether he would support measures other than a federal ban—like changing the FDA’s approach to mifepristone—Trump’s remarks seemed to indicate a readiness to explore some degree of restriction. He stated, “Sure, you could do things that will be, would supplement—absolutely,” emphasizing that decisions should ultimately reflect the will of the people.

Vance, who became Trump’s running mate last month, questioned whether Trump fully comprehended the inquiry, while reiterating Trump’s consistent stance that abortion decisions should rest with the states. The senator also expressed his agreement with the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent ruling on mifepristone.

Earlier this year, the Supreme Court dismissed a challenge concerning the availability of mifepristone due to a lack of legal standing, maintaining access to the drug in a significant abortion-related ruling following the reversal of Roe v. Wade. Importantly, this ruling did not comment on whether the FDA acted appropriately in its 2016 and 2021 decisions that had eased restrictions on mifepristone.

Trump has often touted the 2022 Supreme Court decision that rolled back abortion rights, claiming credit for appointing the justices who formed the conservative majority responsible for the ruling. Vance reiterated his agreement with the Supreme Court’s recent decision regarding the abortion pill, emphasizing the need for the federal government to respect state and voter choices in these matters.

“What we really want is for the federal government to respect the decisions of states and voters,” Vance articulated. He reiterated, “That’s what President Trump has said consistently; we need to step back from the cultural debate surrounding abortion and allow states to determine their abortion policies.”

This year, Vance was part of a group of lawmakers who endorsed a letter to the Justice Department advocating for the enforcement of the Comstock Act, an 1873 law frequently cited by anti-abortion advocates as a means to limit access to abortion pills significantly. On “Face the Nation,” Vance clarified that the letter aimed to ensure that doctors are prescribing mifepristone safely.

“We just want the FDA to ensure that doctors are prescribing this in a safe manner,” Vance said. He expressed confidence that this aligns with Trump’s sentiments on the issue. Overall, Vance’s comments illustrate a commitment to local governance in matters of abortion while navigating the complexities of national politics surrounding the topic.