The Supreme Court's June 2022 ruling overturning Roe v. Wade shows that "extreme MAGA Republicans" could threaten Social Security, Medicare and even American democracy itself, according to House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
The New York Democrat made the charge during a 60 Minutes interview with CBS News correspondent Norah O'Donnell on Sunday, which also covered the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, a threat to Mike Johnson's House speakership and whether Black voters are turning away from President Joe Biden.
On June 24, 2022, the Supreme Court ruled in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization case that the U.S. Constitution doesn't support a right to abortion, reversing the landmark 1973 Roe decision. The ruling was celebrated by abortion opponents but drew a furious response from many women's rights organizations and was widely blamed for the failure of a Republican "red wave" in the November 2022 midterm elections.
During his CBS News interview, Jeffries was asked how big a role abortion access is likely to play in the upcoming presidential election.
"It's gonna be an incredibly significant issue because on its own it's about freedom," he said. "And the extreme MAGA Republicans have set in motion the erosion of reproductive freedom. We're gonna fight for it with everything that we've got at our disposal."
Jeffries went on to suggest that the overturning of Roe indicates other rights or governmental programs could also be threatened.
"If Roe v. Wade can fall, anything can fall. Social Security can fall. Medicare can fall. Voting rights can fall. And God help us all, but democracy itself can fall. If Roe v. Wade can fall, then anything can fall."
In April, Donald Trump said that overturning Roe was about states' rights and that he wouldn't support a federal abortion ban if he is reelected in November.
Trump has also countered Biden's charge that he is leading an "assault on democracy" by saying his reelection is needed to save American democracy.
Speaking at an Ohio rally in March, Trump said: "I don't think you're going to have another election in this country, if we don't win this election...certainly not an election that's meaningful."
Newsweek has contacted Trump's campaign by email for further comment.
Trump has refused to accept the result of the 2020 presidential election, which he charges was rigged against him. That allegation has been dismissed in courts as well as by independent election observers. In two criminal cases against him, Trump has pleaded not guilty to criminal charges regarding attempts to reverse Biden's election victory both nationwide and in Georgia.
The presumptive Republican nominee has also pledged to protect Medicare and Social Security if he returns to the White House for a second term.
In a video posted on his campaign website, Trump says: "Under no circ*mstances should Republicans vote to cut a single penny from Medicare or Social Security."
During his CBS News interview, Jeffries also said he would not back an attempt by GOP Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene to unseat Johnson as House speaker after he supported a $61 billion package providing aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan.
Jeffries, the leader of the House Democratic Caucus, said Johnson hasn't asked for his help. He went on: "Our view would traditionally be 'let the other side work its own mess out.' But when that mess starts to impact the ability to do the job on behalf of the American people, then the responsible thing at that moment might be for us to make clear that we will not allow the extremists to throw the Congress and the country into chaos."
Asked about the war in Gaza, Jeffries said he supported Israel's military actions against Hamas but called for an increase in humanitarian aid to civilians.
He said: "Israel was put in a very difficult situation when it comes to the horrific events of 10/7, a brutal terrorist attack by Hamas, which is an entity that has sworn to wipe Israel off the face of the Earth.
"So Israel was in a position where of course it had to respond, to decisively defeat Hamas. At the same time, my view has been that we have to do everything possible to get the hostages out and to surge humanitarian assistance into Gaza," Jeffries said.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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