Former President Donald Trump's latest remarks on the federal regulation of abortion pills have ignited a storm of criticism from conservatives and anti-abortion activists. In an interview with CBS News, Trump stated that he would not use the Comstock Act, a 150-year-old law, to ban the mail delivery of these drugs if elected in November, asserting that the federal government should have no involvement in the matter.

Prominent conservatives and anti-abortion activists expressed outrage at Trump's comments, labeling them as "nonsensical" and "cowardly." They voiced concerns that such a stance could diminish turnout and enthusiasm among right-leaning voters in the upcoming election. Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, criticized Trump, stating that his position does not align with the pro-life stance and fails to distinguish him from his opponent, Kamala Harris.

While Trump has been credited by anti-abortion advocates for appointing Supreme Court justices who contributed to overturning Roe v. Wade, clashes over policy and messaging have been a recurring issue. His refusal to endorse a national abortion ban and efforts to soften parts of the Republican Party platform drew criticism from conservatives, including his former vice president, Mike Pence.

Conservatives have seized upon the Comstock Act as a potential tool to curtail the distribution of abortion pills without going through Congress. This 19th-century law, named after a prominent campaigner against lewd materials and women's suffrage, prohibits the mailing of any items related to abortions, including drugs. Some members of Congress, along with Trump's running mate Ohio Sen. JD Vance, have urged the Justice Department to utilize the Comstock Act to prosecute the distribution of abortion drugs by mail.

Anti-abortion activists, including Tony Perkins, argue that Trump's rejection of the Comstock Act is contradictory to his calls for leaving abortion laws up to the states. They claim that by not enforcing this law, the president is effectively endorsing the practice of mailing abortion pills into states where they are banned. Telehealth services that operate across state borders have been cited as a major contributing factor to the increase in abortions nationwide.

Critics also argue that Trump's stance on the Comstock Act undermines his claims of being the advocate of law and order. They contend that selective enforcement or non-enforcement of laws raises concerns about respecting the rule of law. Kristi Hamrick, the chief policy strategist with Students for Life of America, urged Trump to stop funding abortions and eliminate federal bias in favor of abortion pill distribution.

Trump's recent interview has further strained his relationship with anti-abortion groups, who played a pivotal role in his 2016 election victory. Since leaving office, Trump has faced criticism for rejecting calls for federal abortion restrictions, blaming anti-abortion activists for electoral losses, and attempting to remove anti-abortion planks from the GOP party platform.

Conservatives are particularly frustrated by Trump's characterization of a recent Supreme Court ruling on abortion pills. While the court did not roll back access to these pills, instead returning the issue to lower courts for further consideration, Trump implied that they will remain readily available.

Opinions among abortion opponents vary regarding the possibility of changing Trump's stance on the issue. While some believe that he is resolute in his decisions, others continue to apply pressure through open letters and behind-the-scenes discussions. Lila Rose, founder of the anti-abortion group Live Action, warns that failure to prioritize the pro-life cause could jeopardize Trump's chances of winning in November.

As the debate over federal regulation of abortion pills continues, Trump's position has ignited a divisive response from conservatives and anti-abortion activists. With the election drawing closer, the question of how this issue will influence voter turnout and support for the former president remains a subject of intense scrutiny and debate.