Supporters and opponents of abortion rights were anticipating a Supreme Court decision this summer, but the sudden release of a draft opinion set off a wave of impromptu protests.
Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. argued two basic points: The Constitution is silent on the question of abortion and Roe’s flaws make it unworthy of respect as precedent.
Exultant Republicans planned new bans. Democrats, who have struggled to rally around abortion rights, hoped a bruising Supreme Court loss could jolt their voters into action.