JTFMax:

The historic decision of the Supreme Court and its consequences:

After the Supreme Court overturned the nationwide right to abortion in the USA on Friday, things are now happening at lightning speed: Arkansas, Kentucky, and Louisiana are the first states to implement the ban. Abortions are banned there, even after the rape and in cases of incest. There are usually only exceptions for medical emergencies. Around half of the 50 US states are expected to follow the ruling. The first abortion clinics have already been closed.

This was reported by the BBC, among others. Patient admissions at a clinic in Little Rock, Arkansas, were closed when the Supreme Court ruling was made public. The employees canceled their appointments by telephone. Arkansas, like other states, made use of so-called "trigger laws" that allow restrictions to be imposed immediately after the verdict.

On the other hand, several liberal states announced Friday that they want to continue protecting the right to abortion. In addition, US President Joe Biden (79) announced measures to protect women's rights. He called the verdict a "tragic mistake" but is relatively powerless in the face of the decision.

On the other hand, Biden's predecessor Donald Trump (76), celebrated the verdict. When the Fox News TV station asked whether he laid the basis for the decision by appointing three conservative judges, he said: "God decided that." The step is in line with the constitution and should have been "long ago," Trump added.

Abortion opponents embraced and celebrated after the verdict. Former US President Donald Trump is pleased with the Supreme Court ruling on abortion rights and calls it a decision of God.

In a statement shortly afterward, however, he still emphasized his merits. The decision was only possible "because I delivered everything as promised, including the nomination and confirmation of three well-respected and strong constitutional lawyers on the US Supreme Court," Trump said. "It was a great honor for me to do that."

Protests in several major cities

Thousands of people spontaneously protested against the verdict in several major US cities on Friday, including in the capital of Washington, New York, Austin, Denver, and Philadelphia. In New York alone, at least 1,000 people demonstrated for abortion rights in Washington Square Park in Manhattan. On Friday evening (local time), demonstrators held up signs reading "My rapist has more rights than I do" and chanted slogans such as "Abortion is a human right."

Beat racist abortion bans with class warfare!” People also demonstrated against the verdict in Los Angeles

The Supreme Court overturned the country's liberal abortion law on Friday. The most conservative Supreme Court thus paved the way for stricter abortion laws, including complete bans.

Some states had already prepared "trigger laws" that can come into force if the previous case law is overturned. In some states, they take effect immediately; in others, it takes about a month. In addition, some states require formal endorsement from the attorney general or governor. 

Doctors face lengthy prison terms if they perform abortions

According to the New York Times, more than seven million women of childbearing age were affected by the new restrictions as of Friday evening (local time). This number is likely to increase significantly in the coming days and weeks. In many states, such as Missouri and Oklahoma, doctors who perform abortions now face lengthy prison terms.

On the other hand, the governors of California, Oregon, Washington, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York, among others, professed their liberal attitude toward abortions. As a result, women can now theoretically travel to these states to have an abortion. However, many cannot afford it at all.

Democrats would like to legislate abortion rights nationwide. But they lack the necessary votes in Congress. As a result, US President Biden cannot simply restore this right by decree. The Democrat hopes to get the required majority for such a law for their party in the congressional elections in November. However, polls tend to point in the other direction – towards gains for the Republicans.

This protester's sign reads, "When the penalty for abortion is more severe than that for rape, you know it's a war on women."

Biden has now announced that his government will do everything possible to ensure women's travel rights. "A person has the right to travel from one state to another for any reason -- that's nobody's business, let alone the government," the White House said.

If anyone tries to prevent women from exercising this fundamental right, the Biden administration will fight this "profoundly un-American attack."

Biden also ordered the Department of Health and Human Services to ensure access to licensed abortion care, including via telemedicine and sending by post. According to the Department of Justice, states cannot simply ban a corresponding drug.

According to polls, a majority of Americans support abortion rights.