Trump Admin Wants Court To Dismiss Challenge To Abortion Pill Access

Photo: Planned Parenthood

India-West News Desk

WASHINGTON, DC — The Trump administration on May 5 defended U.S. rules that expanded access to the abortion pill mifepristone, urging a Texas federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit filed by three Republican-led states.

Missouri, Kansas, and Idaho claim the FDA overstepped its authority by easing restrictions on mifepristone in 2016 and 2021. These changes included allowing the drug to be prescribed via telemedicine, sent by mail, and used for abortions up to 10 weeks into pregnancy.

The states argue that these rules could raise costs for their Medicaid programs if complications arise from the drug’s use.

The original case—brought by anti-abortion groups—was thrown out by the U.S. Supreme Court last year due to lack of standing. But U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, a Trump appointee, allowed the three states to take over the case.

In a new court filing, the U.S. Department of Justice said the lawsuit should be dismissed for procedural reasons. Government lawyers argued the states are not directly harmed by the FDA rules and therefore cannot sue. They also said Texas is not the right venue for the case.

The states claim the lawsuit should stay in Texas, where it has been litigated for over two years, to avoid delays.