In today’s News:
Texas fights to end dismemberment abortion
Texas officials have asked the Fifth U.S. Court of Appeals to allow the state to enforce its ban on a certain type of second-trimester abortions, pending further court decisions. The rule in question bars “dismemberment abortions,” known medically as “dilation and evacuation” abortions. The procedure uses forceps and other instruments to kill and remove the unborn baby from the womb. The Texas legislature declared the procedure “brutal and inhumane.” While a panel at the New Orleans-based appellate court has already declined a motion to allow Texas to enforce the law, state officials are now asking the full appellate court to stay the decision. Republican-appointed judges outnumber Democratic-appointed judges on the court 12-5.
One charge dropped against undercover journalist
San Francisco Superior Court ruled that the charge for “false identification documents” brought against Sandra Merritt by California Attorney General Xavier Becerra on Dec. 13, 2019, is now permanently dismissed due to fact the statute of limitations had long expired. Liberty Counsel Vice President of Legal Affairs and Chief Litigation Counsel Horatio Mihet presented arguments before Judge Christopher Hite yesterday via Zoom. Judge Suzanne Ramos Bolanos previously dismissed the criminal charge, concluding there was insufficient evidence that Merritt used a “deceptive ID” that did not contain the disclaimer required by the statute. Liberty Counsel has already filed an appeal requesting the dismissal of the remaining eight charges brought against Merritt by Becerra for her undercover journalism work in exposing Planned Parenthood’s trafficking in baby body parts.
Supreme Court asked to rule on abortion pill
The Trump administration asked The U.S. Supreme Court Wednesday to restore federal regulations banning the abortion pill from being administered without an in-person doctor’s visit. Last month, District Judge Theodore Chuang agreed to the American Civil Liberties Union’s (ACLU’s) request to allow mifepristone, the first half of the chemical abortion cocktail RU-486, to be taken home without medical supervision, arguing that the requirement posed a “substantial obstacle” during a pandemic, and ruled that, “particularly in light of the limited timeframe during which a medication abortion or any abortion must occur.” The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) appealed the ruling, and now the Justice Department is calling on the nation’s highest court to render an immediate verdict on the temporary suspension, CNBC reports.
