Politicians, activists, everyday Americans react to court's abortion decision, Biden, 'sad day'

President Biden on Friday afternoon joined in the chorus of opinions across the country and political spectrum about the Supreme Court earlier in the day ruling on a Mississippi abortion case that effectively overturned Roe v. Wade, saying "the health and life of women in this nation are now at risk." 

Hours earlier, House Republican leadership issued a joint statement on the decision by the high court's conservative majority.

"Every unborn child is precious, extraordinary, and worthy of protection. We applaud this historic ruling, which will save countless innocent lives, said Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, Minority Whip Steve Scalise Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik.

Across the aisle, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi delivered an emotion response from inside the Capitol, just across the street from the Supreme Court building, calling the decision a "slap in the face to women."

"In Congress, Republicans are plotting a nationwide abortion ban," the California Democrat also warned.

Biden said that it was a "sad day for the Court and the country," and that with "Roe gone, the life and health of women in this nation are now at risk."

He also urged Congress to restore the abortion right established by Roe, and called on Americans to vote for candidates in November that would work to pass such legislation.

"This fall, Roe is on the ballot, personal freedoms are on the ballot – the right to privacy, liberty, equality, they are all on the ballot," Biden said.

Former President Barack Obama said the court "relegated the most intensely personal decision someone can make to the whims of politicians and ideologues--attacking the essential freedoms of millions of Americans."

Today, the Supreme Court not only reversed nearly 50 years of precedent, it relegated the most intensely personal decision someone can make to the whims of politicians and ideologues—attacking the essential freedoms of millions of Americans.

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) June 24, 2022

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer responded to the court's decision, on a Mississippi abortion case, on which the ruling effectively overturned Roe.

"Today is one of the darkest days our country has ever seen," he tweeted. "American women are having their rights taken by 5 unelected Justices on the extremist MAGA court. These justices – appointed by Republicans and presiding without accountability – have stolen the fundamental right to abortion."

Grammy Award-winning record artist Taylor Swift said after the court decision that she was terrified. The tweet appear to be in response to a long response by former first lady Michelle Obama in which she said she was "heartbroken."

Elsewhere on social media, users warned about the what believe would be an loss of federally protected rights as a result of the court's decision.

"I hope people know that Roe V Wade mainly protects abortions yes, but it being overturned means privacy rights, gay marriage, and interracial marriage are no longer federally protected and can be taken away quicker than they were given," said a Twitter user @leoxsio.