WASHINGTON — In a response to criticism from anti-abortion supporters, Former President Donald Trump announced on Friday that he plans to vote against a Florida ballot initiative aimed at reversing the state’s six-week abortion restriction.

This marks a shift from his stance a day earlier when he seemed to be considering the amendment.

As the Republican candidate, Trump confirmed in a Fox News interview that he would vote against Florida Amendment 4, despite expressing his belief that the existing six-week ban is excessively strict.

“I think six weeks is too short; people need more time than that,” Trump remarked. “I have disagreed with this from the early primaries. When I first learned about it, I didn’t support it. Meanwhile, the Democrats are being extreme by allowing abortions into the ninth month, which is completely unreasonable.”

He continued, “All of this is unacceptable, which is why I’m voting no.”

In Florida, current law prohibits abortions once a fetal heartbeat is detected, typically around six weeks into pregnancy, a measure backed by Republican Governor Ron DeSantis and other GOP leaders in the state where Trump is registered to vote.

Advocates for abortion rights are working to challenge this law through a ballot measure that would establish protections for abortion in the state constitution. The proposal states: “No law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion prior to viability or when necessary to protect the patient’s health, as determined by their healthcare provider.”

Importantly, the amendment does not include any provisions for permitting abortions up to nine months into pregnancy.

Trump’s recent comments about the abortion amendment came after a period of uncertainty regarding his position on the issue. Earlier, he implied he would support the amendment.

On Thursday, Trump told NBC News, “I believe six weeks is too short; more time is necessary.” When asked how he would vote on the amendment, he replied, “I plan to vote for more than six weeks.”

This statement garnered criticism from conservative Christians and anti-abortion activists. Marjorie Dannenfelser, the president of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, mentioned that after speaking with Trump, he had not made a firm commitment regarding his vote on the amendment.

Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, condemned Trump for opposing the abortion amendment. “Donald Trump has clearly revealed his stance on abortion: He will support an abortion ban so extreme that it affects women even before they realize they are pregnant,” Harris said in a statement.

Trump frequently highlights his success in appointing three U.S. Supreme Court justices who played a role in overturning Roe v. Wade, which had granted constitutional protections for abortion. Nonetheless, he faces challenges in navigating the political landscape surrounding abortion post-Roe. The Harris campaign is leveraging Trump’s involvement in this overturning to emphasize the importance of restoring abortion rights in the 2024 election.

“Trump openly boasts about his influence in dismantling Roe v. Wade and has suggested penalties for women who undergo abortions,” Harris asserted. “It’s evident that he views the situation where women in Florida and beyond are denied medical care and forced to travel long distances for essential services as acceptable.”

Harris warned that “he is not finished,” indicating that “Trump and his allies aim to restrict access to contraceptives, jeopardize fertility treatment access, and implement nationwide abortion bans, irrespective of Congressional approval.” Although Trump has not publicly supported a national abortion ban, he has indicated that states should make such decisions.

“I trust women to make their health care choices and believe there should be no government interference between a woman and her physician,” Harris reiterated, advocating for Congressional actions to restore abortion rights.

Before announcing his position on Florida’s abortion amendment, Trump expressed support for requiring insurance companies to cover in vitro fertilization costs. This issue became prominent after the Alabama Supreme Court ruled earlier this year that embryos created during IVF are to be considered legally protected like children following the overturning of Roe.

The Harris campaign countered Trump’s statement, arguing that his proposal lacks sincerity as Senate Republicans had previously blocked a bill aimed at ensuring access to in vitro fertilization and mandating employers to provide coverage for it.

One of Trump’s allies, Sen. JD Vance from Ohio, was among those who voted to prevent the legislation from proceeding.

“Women in America are not fools. We understand that the only assured protection for IVF would come from a new national law.

“Kamala Harris supports the law, while Donald Trump stands against it,” stated Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., a supporter of Harris, during a recent call with reporters on Friday.

Warren described Trump’s proposal as “deceptive,” pointing out that it was Trump’s decision to appoint three Supreme Court justices that resulted in the repeal of a constitutional right to abortion, allowing states to impose strict new abortion regulations.

“Donald Trump is responsible for enabling any radical judge or state legislature to prohibit IVF,” Warren added.

The Harris campaign is set to kick off a 50-stop bus tour titled “Fighting for Reproductive Freedom” on Tuesday, aimed at “holding Trump accountable” for the reversal of Roe v. Wade and its consequences. The tour will begin in Palm Beach, Florida, where Trump lives.

Contact Joey Garrison on X, previously known as Twitter, @joeygarrison.