Noem says abortion laws should be determined by the state

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) backed former President Trump on the abortion issue Sunday, saying laws should be determined by the state.

CNN’s Dana Bash asked Noem on “State of the Union” whether she supported Trump’s position on abortion laws being up to the states, noting that Noem co-sponsored legislation that would ban abortion at the federal level when she was in Chamber. Noem explained that her position on abortion laws changed when Roe v. Wade. Wade was overturned by the Supreme Court in 2022.

“The environment changed when Roe v. Wade was overruled. This returned power to the United States, which is appropriate, and Donald Trump is absolutely right. Each state’s laws will be different based on what the people in those states want their law to be when it comes to abortion,” Noem said.

“And we should be focusing on these women who are in crisis and in unprecedented situations, and who need help and support and all the information they can get. So my state’s laws may look different than what’s happening in California or Arizona or New York, and I think that’s completely appropriate,” she added.

Trump said earlier this month that he believed states should decide their own abortion laws, breaking with several members of his party who believe abortion should be banned at the federal level. Trump also said he would not sign a federal abortion ban.

After Roe v. Wade was overruled, Noem said doctors who perform abortions will be targeted in her state after a triggering new law went into effect following the Supreme Court ruling. South Dakota’s ban bans all abortions except to preserve the life of a pregnant person.

“I may be pro-life, but that doesn’t necessarily mean I’m a dictator and I can decide that. Donald Trump recognizes the constitutional authority of the states and I love that. I love that we have someone running for president who actually follows our Constitution and recognizes, on this issue, that making this decision at the state level is the appropriate decision,” she told CNN.

When asked whether she believes South Dakota’s abortion law goes too far, Noem said that’s what the people of her state want. The state’s abortion ban does not allow exceptions for cases of rape or incest.

“But I think our law today is what South Dakota wants, and they will continue to have that debate, and I will continue to do my role, which is to make sure the will of the people is carried out,” she said.