Republican Governor. Arkansas Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson continued to support the House select committee that is investigating the Jan. 6, U.S. Capitol Attack. He stated to CBS Mornings that the attack on January 6th was a threat against democracy and took out former President Donald Trump.
“That was a threat for our institutions of government. That’s not the kind of behavior we want from a responsible president. The January 6th committee should ask two questions. One, do you present facts to the public? That is very important. They are trying to prove that the president committed criminal conduct. They have not made that case, I think. Hutchinson stated that he doesn’t believe they have.
He stated that while the testimony was important, he wasn’t certain if there is enough evidence for the Department of Justice indict Trump. However, he made it clear that he would not support the former president if Trump launches a 2024 presidential reelection campaign.
Although the governor indicated that he is open to a presidential run in 2024, he is focusing on the midterm elections. Hutchinson is currently term-limited and several candidates are running for the position of governor in Arkansas.
He said, “While we are totally focused on 2022 there is obviously talk about 2024, so I had to make clear that Trump has disqualified myself, in my judgement, from his actions of January 6th and leading to that.” We have to take a different path for our country and my party. So, I am a voice for common-sense conservatism. Let’s see how it resonates. But let’s not forget 2022.
After the U.S. Supreme Court’s shocking decision to reverse its 1973 Roe v. Wade abortion rights ruling, Arkansas and other states quickly banned abortions.
Hutchinson signed Arkansas’ trigger law in 2019. The law in Arkansas does not provide any exceptions for minors, or in cases involving rape or incest. Only exceptions are made if the mother’s health is in danger. Hutchison stated that the state has already given $1 million to pregnant agencies, and expects to continue to do so now that the abortion ban is in effect.
“Last year, Arkansas had approximately 3,000 abortions. The Supreme Court approved a new law which will allow for a reduction in abortions. Some mothers will also be able to adopt the child. He said that we would have to expand our adoption services. “Others may leave the state, but I believe this will only be a small number. There will be many who will carry that child to full term. We want to ensure that the mom has the support services she needs during and after the pregnancy.
Two Republican Arkansas senators have stated that they would like to introduce a bill to prohibit women from traveling across state lines to get abortions. Anti-abortion groups have supported this bill. Hutchinson stated that he would not sign any legislation that would prohibit women from traveling outside of the state to obtain an abortion.
“This would violate interstate commerce. We want to discourage this because Arkansas’ public policy is to restrict abortion and carry out the willful will of the people. Hutchinson stated that the United States Supreme Court has already addressed this issue in one of its concurring opinions. “This is not meant to restrict interstate commerce.”
He said that the Supreme Court decision stated that each state would make its own decision in this matter and that “Arkansas had made its decision.”
