Roe v. Wade overturned: What's next for abortion rights in the US?

The Supreme Court has ended constitutional protections for abortion that had been in place nearly 50 years in a decision by its conservative majority to overturn Roe v. Wade. Friday's outcome is expected to lead to abortion bans in roughly half the states.

The decision, unthinkable just a few years ago, was the culmination of decades of efforts by abortion opponents, made possible by an emboldened right side of the court that has been fortified by three appointees of former President Donald Trump.

The ruling came more than a month after the stunning leak of a draft opinion by Justice Samuel Alito indicating the court was prepared to take this momentous step.

It puts the court at odds with a majority of Americans who favored preserving Roe, according to opinion polls.

Alito, in the final opinion issued Friday, wrote that Roe and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, the 1992 decision that reaffirmed the right to abortion, were wrong the day they were decided and must be overturned.

“We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled. The Constitution makes no reference to abortion, and no such right is implicitly protected by any constitutional provision,” Alito wrote.

Authority to regulate abortion rests with the political branches, not the courts, Alito wrote.

Joining Alito were Justices Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett. The latter three justices are Trump appointees. Thomas first voted to overrule Roe 30 years ago.

Chief Justice John Roberts would have stopped short of ending the abortion right, noting that he would have upheld the Mississippi law at the heart of the case, a ban on abortion after 15 weeks, and said no more. #RoeVWade #SupremeCourt #Abortion

[yeahaboutthatthough]

If this was about babies, there would be universal healthcare. Free education. Free daycare. Southern states would be doing all they can to drop the black maternal mortality rate. This is about power and control.

[baddd]

Abortion is wrong! Adults need to stand up and stop being selfish. Take care of your kids and stop pointing fingers! Babies are innocent . Abortion is evil and selfish

[ImaCreamMyCorn]

I can’t wait to see how terrible the foster care system become after this. Totally not like they’re already at max capacity

[david]

If the states issues no abortions, then every woman and female child needs to leave the state. We need to support each other. I'm sicken by the government telling us what to do. They allow the rapist to have custody and visitation rights. The rapist is hardly punished. They are allowed to walk the street and repeat again and again. Or what about incest, child molestations that results with pregnancy. When the government can protect us then we will talk.

[glitchygoth]

Honestly men need to stop making decisions on women's bodies

[rebajeanforever]

Thou shall not
Doctors should do no harm
Country who believes it's ok to murder a baby and feel no guilt says there's something wrong with our society. No tears for the babies but tears to do harm, smh!

[raptorbeast]

Unpopular opinion right now. But aside from medically necessary abortions from complications during a pregnancy. Victims of rape etc too. When are we going to have the actual conversation about accountability of women and men at the conseption stage? May we see a future with more discerning decisions about who we let in our beds and how we conduct ourselves as consious adults in this regard. This may be what America needs to start bringing back a more nuclear family. Because it ain't working so well right now with broken homes being the rule not the exception.

[zrqswld]

What if someone rapes an innocent woman or a girl ? and she gets pregnant?

[barbj]

Trump appointed 3 SC Justices who were prolife. Had he not become President this never would have been overturned.

[ArnoldTeras]

Are there ANY Americans who are against both abortions and guns??

[robin_iconic]

Imagine forcing an woman what to do with their body🤡

[osamabinladen]

this is outrageous and i am upset america would infringe on womens rights

[CaptainCody]

"I've noticed that everyone who is for abortion has already been born." -Ronald Reagan

[walmartian]

Its just so terrible…. I cant believe that women might have to drive a couple hundred miles to kill their unborn babies… the horror😭

[randomcenturion]

Hot dang, first concealed carry now Roe vs Wade. The Supreme Court has been on a roll.

[GuitarThunder]

agreed on calling it a historic decision, it's the beginning of the end of our freedom.

[darkprince]

I'm a woman (for context) & I'm befuddled as to how there's women literally shrieking, shaking & crying because they'll no longer be able to yeet their own offspring.

Also, where was this energy while this admin wanted to force COVID vaccination "or else" you risked your schooling, your job, etc. The apoplectic brainlets today are the same who wanted people like me fired & ostracized for refusing to be coerced, manipulated & jabbed. I guess "my body, my choice" is selective & only applies to those w/certain opinions.
I don't empathize w/those who wouldn't do it for those like me. So cope & seethe.

[raveongravyboat]

Land of the free apart from abortion or crossing a road but you can buy a gun without a background check

[mid]

there are women who bed hop and there are women (and children) who are raped. should they be treated the same when it comes to abortions?🤔

[stephaniedawne]

HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A BABY IN PIECES ON THE TABLE, JERKING AND TWITCHING FROM BEING TORN APART, WITH LITTLE FAINT GASP FOR AIR