Vice President Kamala Harris has sharply criticised Donald Trump and the Republican Party over their stance on abortion, accusing them of hypocrisy as early voting begins in crucial battleground states.
In one of her most forceful campaign speeches, Harris blamed Trump for an abortion ban in Georgia, which she said led to the deaths of two women and criticised the GOP for neglecting women’s healthcare.
Speaking to a predominantly female crowd at a rally in Atlanta, Georgia, Harris accused Trump and Republicans of failing to support women and children. “These hypocrites want to start talking about how this is in the best interest of women and children,” Harris said. “Where have you been when it comes to caring for the women and children of America?”
Harris has made abortion rights a central theme of her campaign since taking over the Democratic ticket from President Joe Biden two months ago. She has frequently referred to what she calls “Trump abortion bans,” targeting the former president’s influence on state-level restrictions.
Trump has touted his appointment of three conservative Supreme Court justices, which led to the 2022 overturning of Roe v. Wade. Since that decision, more than 20 states, including Georgia, have implemented strict abortion laws, with Georgia banning most abortions after six weeks.
Harris continued her criticism at a rally in Madison, Wisconsin, where she denounced the bans as “immoral” and accused Trump of being responsible for what she called a healthcare crisis. “This is a healthcare crisis, and Donald Trump is the architect,” she said, highlighting the impact of restrictive abortion laws on women’s health.
Harris pointed to the case of Amber Nicole Thurman, a 28-year-old mother from Georgia who died from complications after taking abortion pills.
A state committee concluded that a delayed emergency surgery was a critical factor in her death. Harris vowed that Thurman would not just be remembered as a statistic, saying, “We will make sure Amber is not just remembered as a statistic,” after meeting Thurman’s family at a campaign event hosted by Oprah Winfrey.
The vice president’s speeches came as early voting began in Virginia, Minnesota, and South Dakota, with 46 days remaining until the election. Harris urged her supporters to mobilise and vote. “The election is here,” she told rallygoers in Madison. “We have work to do, energise, organise, and mobilise.”
Early voting and mail-in ballots have been contentious topics, with Trump repeatedly questioning their legitimacy. Since his defeat in the 2020 election, Trump has falsely claimed that early and mail-in voting contributed to his loss to Joe Biden, leading to scepticism among his supporters.
Voters in Arlington, Virginia, were enthusiastic about casting their ballots early.
Michelle Kilkenny, 55, expressed excitement about voting on the first day, believing it boosts campaign enthusiasm. Ann Spiker, 71, who usually votes by mail, chose to vote in person this year, citing her concerns about Trump’s potential return to office.
Despite his legal troubles, Trump, who faces criminal charges related to his alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election results, remains a strong contender in the current race. He has refused to commit to accepting the outcome if he loses again, raising concerns about the integrity of the election process.
The contest between Harris and Trump is expected to be incredibly close. The outcome likely hinges on a handful of swing states, including Georgia and Wisconsin.
Harris’s entry into the race has significantly altered the dynamics, with polls showing the election is now neck-and-neck.
Trump has also sparked outrage with recent comments blaming Jewish American voters for his potential loss.
“If I don’t win this election… in my opinion, the Jewish people would have a lot to do with a loss,” Trump said at an anti-Semitism event, criticising Jewish voters’ historical tendency to support Democrats.
The White House condemned Trump’s remarks, calling them dangerous and divisive. “It is abhorrent to traffic in dangerous tropes or engage in scapegoating at any time—let alone now when all leaders must fight back against the tragic worldwide rise in anti-Semitism,” said White House spokesperson Andrew Bates.
With early voting underway, both campaigns are ramping up efforts in critical swing states that will likely determine the outcome of this closely contested election.
Harris is focusing on energising Democratic voters and addressing critical issues like abortion, while Trump continues to rally his base amid ongoing legal battles and controversies.
