Abortion-rights group knocks possible Trump VP picks' 'extremism'

EMILY's List — which works to elect female candidates who support abortion rights — is targeting 14 “extremist” Republicans rumored to be on the shortlist of potential candidates to serve as former President Trump’s 2024 running mate, according to a press release from the group Tuesday.

In the statement, EMILY's List said it was officially putting 14 potential running mates “on notice” — a tactic the group has in the past deployed to selectively target vulnerable House Republicans, often in swing districts, by spotlighting their records on abortion.

“Abortion is on the ballot this year like never before, so for the first time in EMILYs List history the 2024 ‘On Notice’ list focuses on Trump’s ‘Veepstakes’ pool to send a clear message to voters,” the group said in the press release.

“While these candidates may be different in many ways, one thing is clear: no matter who he picks, the GOP ticket will be a huge threat to our reproductive rights,” the statement continued. “Trump and the members of his VP shortlist support an extreme anti-abortion agenda that further endangers reproductive rights in America, from abortion to IVF to birth control.”

In putting more than a dozen potential VP picks “on notice,” EMILY's List made clear it does not see Trump’s vice presidential pick as consequential in determining the future of U.S. abortion policy — and that the group remains focused on preventing Trump from returning to the White House, regardless of who his running mate is.

EMILY's List President Jessica Mackler echoed that sentiment.

“A Trump presidency will mean a national abortion ban is on the menu, and whichever extremist he picks as his running mate will not change that,” Mackler said in the press release. "Our message to these Republican potential VP picks is simple: EMILYs List sees your extremism and we’re putting you ‘On Notice.’ No matter how much they lie to voters and hide their efforts to ban abortion nationwide, we have their anti-abortion records and we are not afraid to expose them.”

After Trump for months would not publicly embrace a clear stance on abortion, the presumptive GOP candidate announced he supported states’ right to determine their own abortion policy, embracing the reversal of Roe v. Wade. He also later said he would not sign a national abortion ban, but the Biden administration subsequently dismissed him as a “liar,” citing his record on the issue.

EMILY's List named 14 Republican individuals for its 2024 “On Notice” list: Ben Carson, Rep. Byron Donalds (Fla.), Rep. Elise Stefanik (N.Y.), Sen. JD Vance (Ohio), Kari Lake, Sen. Katie Britt (Ala.), South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, Sen. Marco Rubio (Fla.), Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (Ga.), Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, and former 2024 presidential candidates Nikki Haley, Ron DeSantis, Tim Scott and Vivek Ramaswamy.

A 15th mystery potential vice presidential candidate was listed on the “On Notice” list, with an image of a question mark appearing where the photo ID otherwise would be.

Where other candidates had quick facts on their abortion record, the 15th mystery candidate included the description: “No matter who Donald Trump picks for his running mate, they will support his extreme anti-abortion agenda.”

The Hill has contacted the 14 individuals for responses.

“This is why voters should not listen to Emilys List -- they have the governor of Florida on the VP list,” Steven Cheung, Trump’s communications director, said in an emailed statement.