[jude24]

The President has no legal authority to make an executive order banning abortions; indeed, nether does Congress without a Constitutional amendment.

Prior to Roe v. Wade, it was a state matter, that is, according to the 9th and 10th Amendments, they were reserved to the States or to the people to decide for themselves.

Roe v. Wade made it a federal issue. Because of a legally debatable penumbra, the right to privacy was applied to 3rd trimester abortions in Roe, extended in Casey v. Planned Parenthood.

Of course, facts are irrelevant to the radical pro-life crowd, just like any other radical group.

(I am solidly pro-life, but not to the point that I lose sight of reality).

[Ben Ficklin]

You are right. In fact, any shifting around of power amongst the the three federal branches is small potatoes compared to the shift of power from the states to the feds by the expansion of the General Welfare Clause and the Interstate Commerce Clause.

[Satadru]

Actually the President can do a lot to prevent abortion. For example, he can cut Medicare funding for abortion which Bush hasn't.