Biden says Texas abortion law creates a "vigilante system"

President Biden on Friday criticized the new Texas abortion law for creating "a sort of vigilante system" because its abortion ban is to be enforced by citizens who can sue anyone who may have aided an abortion. The president said the Justice Department is examining whether it can limit the action of citizens enforcing the state law. 

The Supreme Court earlier this week declined to halt Texas' new law banning abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected, around six weeks, and allowing private citizens to sue people they believe have aided in the process of an abortion that takes place more than six weeks into a woman's pregnancy. Private citizens who successfully sue over violations of the law are to be awarded at least $10,000. Democrats are decrying the 5-4 Supreme Court decision.  "I have been and continue to be a strong supporter of Roe v. Wade, number one," the president told reporters Friday when he was asked about his message to women in Texas. "And the most pernicious thing about the Texas law, it sort of creates a vigilante system where people get rewards to go out to — anyway."