Donald Trump's comments that babies in Wisconsin are allowed to be "executed" after they're born have been condemned on social media.
The US President was speaking at a rally in the state where Governor Tony Evers recently said he would veto a Republican bill that would require doctors to provide medical care to babies born alive after a failed abortion attempt. If they refuse, doctors could face prison.
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The bill requires doctors present at the abortion attempt "to exercise the same degree of professional skill, care, and diligence to preserve the life and health of the child as a reasonably diligent and conscientious health care provider would render to any other child born alive."
Evers said he would not sign the bill as he believes existing protections in state law were enough.
"I think those protections already exist," he told JS Online. "We have all sorts of issues to deal with in the state of Wisconsin, and to pass a bill that is redundant seems to be not a productive use of time."
Trump rounded on Evers during the rally, claiming babies can be legally killed in Wisconsin if the attempt to abort them fails.
"But your Democrat governor here in Wisconsin, shockingly, stated that he will veto legislation that protects Wisconsin babies born alive," he told the crowd.
"The baby is born, the mother meets with the doctor, they take care of the baby, they wrap the baby beautifully, and then the doctor and the mother determine whether or not they will execute the baby."
His comments have been widely condemned on social media, largely for his use of the word 'execute' and for the facts being inaccurate. Laws in the US already protect newborn babies even if they survive an abortion.
Democratic Governor Roy Cooper, who also vetoed the bill, said all it did was "criminalise doctors for a practice that does not exist".
Trump also stated at the rally he would step down after a second term, quashing speculation he was trying to change the law that Presidents can only serve two terms. He also praised Saudi Arabia, saying they "buy a lot from us andI don't want to lose them."
He also said the policy of sending people who illegally cross the US border to sanctuary cities was his "sick idea".
Newshub.
