Donald Trump's new Attorney General, Todd Blanche, a staunch anti-abortion advocate, is poised to use the Justice Department's power to severely restrict abortion access across the US, specifically targeting the distribution of the abortion pill, mifepristone, by reviving dormant laws and challenging state protections.
The abortion pill, mifepristone, combined with misoprostol, is described as a 'miracle' for its safety, effectiveness, and accessibility, especially since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, preventing a return to dangerous illegal abortions. However, the Trump administration and its allies are actively seeking to eliminate access to it. This threat intensified with the confirmation of Todd Blanche, Donald Trump's former personal lawyer and an anti-abortion zealot, as Attorney General. Confirmed in a contentious vote, Blanche has publicly and privately indicated his intent to use the Justice Department to curtail abortion access nationwide and shut down mifepristone distribution. He reportedly told Christian conservative leaders that he would move aggressively to outlaw the mailing of mifepristone across state lines and target Democratic-controlled states protecting abortion. Blanche's strategies could include enforcing the long-dormant Comstock Act of 1873, which could ban the mailing of all abortion pills, reversing the Biden Justice Department's stance. He also suggested suing states with 'shield laws' that protect providers shipping abortion drugs across state lines, aiming to undermine states' rights to set their own law enforcement priorities. Furthermore, Blanche indicated collaboration with health agencies like the FDA, which is already under pressure to restrict mifepristone access, potentially through a pretextual 'safety review' to remove it from the market. While Trump has shown caution on abortion post-Dobbs due to political backlash, Blanche's appointment signals a more aggressive anti-abortion push, with significant restrictions expected, particularly after the 2026 midterms.
