Earlier today, the Supreme Court ruled to overturn Roe v. Wade, which has caused a flurry of emotions for both political parties. The case was established 50 years ago to protect abortion rights, and today’s six to three ruling to overrule allows the future for abortion rights to be decided by the states.

There are 26 states that are likely to ban abortion: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Conservatives are celebrating this decision, including people wearing matching red t-shirts with the phrase, “The Pro-Life Generation Votes.” On the other hand, liberals are outraged, and crowds are already swarming outside the Supreme Court. They are linking arms and have their mouths taped shut while people chant into microphones expressing their indignation.

Attorney General Merrick B. Garland vows to use the Justice Department’s authority to protect abortion rights. He claims that the decision undermines state decisis, the doctrine that the court should respect precedents; this principle has helped uphold the rule of law by keeping the court’s work consistent and preserving the public’s faith in the nonpartisan acts of the court (The New York Times).

Justice Clarence Thomas, in his concurring opinion, wrote that given the court’s rationale on Roe v. Wade, there should be a reevaluation of Griswold v. Connecticut (access to contraceptives for married couples), Lawrence v. Texas (sodomy laws and making same-sex sexual activity legal), and Obergefell v. Hodges (constitutional right for same-sex marriage). It is unclear if Thomas stands alone in this opinion, or if other justices feel the same (The Hill).

President Biden states that “it’s a sad day for the court and the country.” He elaborates, “Now with Roe gone, let’s be very clear, the health and life of women across this nation are now at risk” and adds that, “the court has done what it’s never done before—expressly taking away a constitutional right that is so fundamental to so many Americans,” (PBS NewsHour).

This decision will play a major role in the November midterm elections and has already led to protests and charges from the left, claiming that the court falls under partisan beliefs despite their reputation of being nonpartisan, and will almost certainly lead to lawsuits (USA Today). Conservatives meanwhile will defend the decision and push for anti-abortion laws in all 50 states.