The Trump administration has sought to dismiss a lawsuit from three Republican-led states—Idaho, Kansas, and Missouri—that aims to restrict telehealth access to the abortion medication mifepristone. The Justice Department argued that the states lack the legal standing to sue, emphasizing that the case should be either dismissed or transferred to a different venue. The lawsuit challenges the FDA’s regulations on mifepristone, advocating for restrictions like in-office visits and limiting the drug’s use in pregnancy. The case is under review by U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk in Texas, who previously ruled against the drug’s approval but had his decision overturned by higher courts due to lack of legal basis for the lawsuit.

The states’ argument hinges on the assertion that mifepristone access undermines their abortion laws, but the Department of Justice contends that the states cannot simply revive the case in Texas without proper legal grounds. Furthermore, the DOJ highlighted that the lawsuit challenges actions taken by the FDA in 2016, exceeding the statute of limitations for such claims. Amidst these legal battles, abortion laws vary among the three states, with differing restrictions and regulations.

Former President Trump’s stance on abortion medication was clarified in a Time magazine interview, where he expressed opposition to restricting access. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s views on abortion have drawn criticism from both sides, with his confirmation hearing statements reflecting a nuanced perspective. Mifepristone is commonly used in medication abortions and has become a significant component of abortion procedures in the U.S. post the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade ruling.