Fact-Checking Biden’s and Trump’s Claims on Domestic Policy

Follow live updates on the 2024 presidential debate here.

President Biden and former President Donald J. Trump will face off Thursday night for the first time in four years, giving each ample opportunity to fling accusations about the other’s positions. Some will hew close to the facts, but there will most likely be ample exaggeration or statements lacking adequate nuance.

The two candidates have not been shy in their critiques and attacks on each other on the campaign trail.

The presumptive nominees have sparred over immigration policy and the state of the economy. Mr. Trump has portrayed the country, hyperbolically, under Mr. Biden as lawless. Mr. Biden has sometimes omitted context while describing Mr. Trump’s views on abortion rights and the Affordable Care Act.

Here’s a fact check of some of their recent claims on domestic issues.

Mr. Trump misrepresented abortion laws and crime levels across the country.

What Was Said

“It’s hard to believe they have some states passing legislation where you can execute the baby after birth.”
— Mr. Trump in an interview on Fox News in June

False. No state has passed a law allowing the execution of a baby after it is born, which is infanticide.

Since the Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to abortion, about 20 states have enacted protections enshrining the right in state constitutions and shielding those seeking or providing abortions in the state from restrictions in other states. None of these new laws allow for “executing” the baby after birth.