Kamala Harris, Karine Jean-Pierre Dispute AOC’s Claim That Opening Abortion Clinics on Federal Lands Would Be Easy

Yesterday’s Morning Jolt noted that the proposal to open abortion clinics on federal lands in red states would face a slew of legal, financial, and logistical challenges, despite Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez insisting it represents “the babiest of the babiest of the baby steps.”

So far, both Vice President Kamala Harris and White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre have thrown cold water on that idea. Harris, in an interview with CNN’s Dana Bash, Monday:

BASH: Can the administration expand abortion access or abortion services on federal land, meaning provide the access on federal land that might be in and around states that ban abortion?

HARRIS: I think that what is most important right now is that we ensure that the restrictions that the states are trying to put up that would prohibit a woman from exercising what we still maintain is her right, that we do everything we can to empower women to not only seek, but to receive the care where it is available.

(CROSSTALK)

BASH: Is federal land one of those options?

HARRIS: I mean, it’s not right now what we are discussing.

During Jean-Pierre’s interaction with reporters yesterday:

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So with this proposal — we understand the proposal is well intentioned, but here’s the thing: It could actually put women and providers at risk.  And importantly, in states where abortion is now illegal, women and providers who are not federal employees — as you look at the federal lands — could be — potentially be prosecuted.  And so, this is — as we understand why they would put forward this proposal, there’s actually dangerous ramifications to doing this.

Whether or not you buy into the idea that AOC is dumb, it certainly seems clear she doesn’t spend much time thinking through the details of her proposals. Anyone who thinks setting up abortion clinics on federal lands in states that have banned the procedure would be quick and easy hasn’t thought it through much at all. (As Kevin Williamson is fond of saying, “Everything is simple when you don’t know a f***ing thing about it.”)

You have to wonder if the White House’s patience with the likes of AOC is waning. Governing and enacting policy is difficult; it is even more difficult when know-nothing loudmouths that are allegedly on your side publicly contend that sweeping changes can be enacted quickly and easily, and that making them reality is just a matter of willpower.