Governor Kim Reynolds of Iowa has launched an attack on former President Donald J. Trump, criticizing his stance on restrictive abortion legislation. The governor's comments come just months before the Iowa caucuses and highlight a potential weakness for Trump in the state. During a recent interview, Trump referred to a six-week abortion ban signed by his main rival in the polls, Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida, as a "terrible thing." Reynolds, who signed a similar law in Iowa this summer, took to social media to defend the state's six-week ban, known as a “heartbeat” bill. She wrote on Twitter, "It's never a 'terrible thing' to protect innocent life," and expressed her pride in the legislation. Although Reynolds did not mention Trump by name, her meaning was clear. Furthermore, Governor Brian Kemp of Georgia, a fellow Republican, also criticized Trump for his comments.

Reynolds, a popular figure among Republicans in her home state, faced criticism from Trump earlier this summer when she stated that she would not endorse any candidate in the Iowa caucuses. Despite this, Reynolds has appeared at several campaign events alongside Trump. Criticizing Reynolds and Iowa's abortion ban poses a risk for Trump, who is currently the front-runner in the race, as it may anger evangelical Christian voters who hold significant influence in the state's Republican caucuses. This conflict over abortion could potentially provide an opening for DeSantis, who is set to participate in the upcoming Republican debate that Trump has decided to skip.

DeSantis and his allies have strongly condemned Trump's comments, particularly his statement that he would be willing to make a deal with Democrats on abortion. DeSantis may continue to criticize Trump during the debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in California. In an interview with RadioIowa, DeSantis warned pro-life voters that Trump is preparing to "sell them out." While there have been relatively few faith leaders and elected officials openly critical of Trump's comments, the conflict over abortion, as highlighted by Reynolds and Kemp, has brought the issue to the forefront.

Earlier on the same day, Trump attempted to clarify his comments through social media posts. He claimed to have "gotten the job done" on Roe v. Wade and stated that he had given abortion opponents "tremendous negotiating power" with the ability for states to impose more severe restrictions. Trump also acknowledged that the issue of abortion had cost Republicans in the midterm elections and referred to Democrats as the "true radicals." He emphasized the need for Republicans to learn how to talk about abortion in order to win in 2024.

A spokesperson for Governor Reynolds declined to comment on the matter, while the Trump campaign did not respond to a request for comment. Abortion rights supporters argue that six-week abortion bans effectively amount to a near-total prohibition, as few women are aware of their pregnancy by that point. Trump, who was once a Democrat and supported abortion rights, has appeared uncomfortable discussing abortion within the context of Republican politics. However, as he and his advisers look beyond the primary to the general election, he has avoided taking a firm stance on a federal abortion ban at either six or fifteen weeks. Despite this ambiguity, Trump continues to lead widely in primary polls, with many Republican voters willing to overlook his stance on abortion due to his role in overturning Roe v. Wade.

Governor DeSantis, who signed a six-week abortion ban in Florida this year, has also refrained from endorsing a federal ban at either six or fifteen weeks. During a recent gathering of Christian conservatives in Des Moines, DeSantis evaded a direct answer when asked about his support for a federal abortion ban, stating that he believes the states have done a better job than Congress in addressing the issue. Other candidates, such as former Vice President Mike Pence, have expressed strong support for at least a fifteen-week ban, while former Governor Nikki Haley of South Carolina has taken a more nuanced approach, acknowledging the challenges of passing such legislation through the Senate.

In Iowa, the six-week abortion ban is currently not in effect and awaits a ruling from the State Supreme Court. Reynolds had signed a similar bill in 2018, but it did not become law due to a court challenge. Similarly, the status of abortion in Florida is awaiting a decision from the state's Supreme Court. As the race for the Republican nomination intensifies, the issue of abortion and the candidates' positions on it will continue to be a contentious topic.