As the race for the Republican Party presidential nomination heats up, nearly a dozen candidates have announced their intent to challenge President Joe Biden in the 2024 election.
GOP presidential candidates have been quick to establish political positions as they ramp up their campaigns – and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is running for the Democratic nomination, has even perpetuated some right-wing political stances. Other candidates have also begun to ramp up attacks on former President Donald Trump.
With the first GOP presidential debate scheduled for Aug. 23, three of the most decisive issues that will likely take center stage are immigration, abortion and LGBTQ+ rights. Though not all candidates have officially updated their websites with plans to address these points, they have been vocal on their positions not only in the media, but also policies in earlier junctures of their political careers.
Donald Trump
Although the former president has been indicted twice, his legal troubles have not impeded his re-election campaign thus far.
Trump has been vocal about his disdain for Biden’s views and policy on immigration – claiming on his official website that Biden “turned our country into one giant sanctuary for dangerous criminal aliens” and the current state of the border “threatens public safety, drains the treasury, undermines U.S. workers, and burdens schools and hospitals.”
According to this website, Trump plans to again end “catch-and-release”, which requires the government to release undocumented immigrants into the U.S. after a six month detainment period, if no other country accepts them for deportation. Republican legislators introduced a bill to end the practice in February.
Trump also plans to restore his “Remain in Mexico” policy, which has been revised by the Biden administration, and deputize the National Guard and local law enforcement in “cooperative states” to “assist with rapidly removing” undocumented immigrants.
The campaign website also mentions a “merit-based immigration system that protects American labor and promotes American values,” but does not provide any further information. Forbes also reported on Aug. 6, 2020, that it was unclear exactly what the former president means to accomplish with his plan, offering a number of possibilities.
In regards to abortion, Trump has indicated he would consider signing legislation into place that would ban abortions at 15 weeks, but his website does not outline any particular actions he plans to take.
Trump has also taken an anti-transgender stance, namely in a Jan. 31 video posted to his social platform Truth Social, including measures that would declare only two genders, ban transgender women from women’s sports and punish healthcare workers providing gender affirming care to minors. In a 2016 interview with 60 Minutes, however, Trump claimed he’s “fine with same-sex marriage.”
Ron DeSantis
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis quickly established himself as a front runner in the 2024 election cycle after announcing his run on May 24. In addition to being vocal about his position on key issues in the media and on his campaign website, recent policy reforms exemplify his political philosophy.
For instance, DeSantis passed the “strongest anti-illegal immigration legislation in the country” in May which mandates the use of E-Verify for employers with 25 or more employees, penalizes businesses that employ undocumented immigrants and strengthens penalties on “human smuggling.”
The bill also prohibits local governments from issuing ID cards to undocumented immigrants and invalidates those issued to individuals in other states. Lastly, it requires hospitals to collect and submit data on providing costs for undocumented immigrants.
In March, DeSantis signed a slate of legislation restricting LGBTQ+ rights, including measures that bans transgender individuals from using public restrooms aligning with their identity, restricts drag performances in front of minors and prohibits sexual orientation or gender identity education from kindergarten to eighth grade.
One of the bills prohibiting such instruction to minors also restricts reproductive health education from sixth to 12th grade, a move that directly ties in with DeSantis’ views on abortion.
DeSantis signed a 15-week abortion ban in April 2022 and a bill this year that would prohibit all abortions after six weeks, which did not include exemptions for victims of rape, incest or human trafficking. In the most recent bill, these victims could obtain the procedure before 15 weeks if evidence is presented.
The ban, which would be the most restrictive in the country, would not go into effect until the Supreme Court overturns the current precedent on abortion, CNN reported April 14.
Nikki Haley
Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley announced her candidacy in February, making her the first to challenge Trump – who appointed Haley to be a United Nations ambassador in 2016.
Haley signed a bill during her first year in office that required law enforcement to check the immigration status of anyone stopped or arrested that was suspected of being undocumented. Additionally, it established an Illegal Immigration Enforcement Unit and required the use of E-Verify for employers to check immigration status.
During this election cycle, Haley called for an immigration system based on “merit, talent and business needs” and said families should not be separated at the border.
Haley, the only female GOP candidate in the running, has not fully clarified her position on abortion. In May, she said a federal ban is not “realistic,” but has called for the end of “late term abortions” and an increase in access to contraception. As South Carolina governor, she signed a ban on abortions after 20 weeks.
Similarly, Haley has not outlined policies surrounding LGBTQ+ rights. She opposed same sex marriage as a state representative and governor, and rejected fund matching for a program for low-income HIV patients, according to GLAAD.
Most recently, Haley “falsely claimed” a connection between transgender girls playing sports and teenage suicide ideation and called such inclusion is an “attack on women’s rights.”
Mike Pence
Former Vice President Mike Pence announced his candidacy in June after months of speculation. Pence, who is the first vice president in nearly a century to challenge the president he served with, was quick to denounce Trump over the Jan. 6 insurrection.
Similar to the majority of his opponents, Pence is critical of Biden’s current policies on immigration. Prior to his candidacy announcement, he called for the return of Trump-era immigration provisions. He did, however, say he would not re-initiate familial separations at the border if elected.
Pence is extremely vocal about his pro-life stance, calling for a federal ban on the procedure at 15 weeks of pregnancy. Advancing American Freedom, Pence’s “policy and advocacy” organization, also filed an amicus brief in support of the challenge against mifepristone, an FDA-approved abortion drug.
Pence has a vast history of opposing LGBTQ+ rights throughout his political career. In 2015, he signed a “religious freedom bill” as Indiana governor that would have allowed businesses to refuse services to LGBTQ+ individuals. Ultimately, Pence had to sign an amended bill amid protests.
After his departure from the White House, Pence joined the Heritage Foundation, a notoriously anti-LGBTQ+ “think tank,” as a distinguished visiting fellow to advise on policy issues and give addresses.
Edited by: James Sutton
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