America braced for turmoil as Biden puts Roe v Wade fury on the ballot

Even as he prepared to sign the most sweeping gun violence bill in decades yesterday, President Joe Biden’s mind was still on the Supreme Court ruling the day before that removed women’s constitutional right to abortion and ignited protests across America.

“Yesterday, I spoke about the Supreme Court’s shocking decision striking down Roe v Wade,” Biden said. “Jill and I know how painful and devastating the decision is for so many Americans. I mean so many Americans.” Before turning to the subject of gun violence he added that his administration was going to do what it could to “protect women’s health”.

To do that effectively he needs voters.

With Republican-held states already moving to ban abortion across swathes of the country, Democrats are seeking to