Trump DOJ Drops Case Against Idaho’s Pro-Life Law, Still Faces Legal Challenge
Thankfully, Idaho no longer has to fight the federal government to defend its right to protect mothers and babies from abortion.
This week, the Trump Department of Justice (DOJ) dropped the Biden DOJ’s lawsuit targeting Idaho’s pro-life law. In the self-executing motion filed with the court on Wednesday, the Trump DOJ voluntarily dismissed the case with no further action required by the court.
Background
Following the reversal of Roe v. Wade in 2022, Idaho’s Defense of Life Act went into effect, prohibiting abortion unless it is necessary to save the life of the mother, or in cases of rape or incest.
In August 2022, the Biden DOJ sued the state of Idaho over its pro-life law.
It argued that the state law conflicted with federal law because the state law only permitted abortion in life-saving situations and not all emergency situations.
Attorneys for the state of Idaho argued that the pro-life law allows doctors to provide care to women experiencing ectopic pregnancies, miscarriages and other life-threatening conditions, which is exactly what the federal law requires.
Many in the pro-life community believe the abortion industry is using the federal law to try to create a loophole for elective abortions in Idaho.
Supreme Court Action
The cases — Moyle v. United States and Idaho v. United States — were argued before the Supreme Court last year.
The question before the Court was whether a federal law, known as the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA), overrode the Idaho law regarding when an abortion can be performed.
As reported by the Daily Citizen, the Court did not decide on the merits of the case but instead dismissed it and sent it back to the lower court for continued consideration. The justices held that dismissal was appropriate because the cases had shifted in theory and arguments.
Future of Idaho’s Pro-Life Law
Idaho’s pro-life law still faces a legal challenge from St. Luke’s hospital system. St. Luke’s filed a lawsuit against the state in anticipation of the Trump DOJ dropping the case.
The hospital system, like Biden’s DOJ, is claiming that women in medical emergencies won’t be able to get an abortion to save their lives.
The district court judge granted the hospital’s request for a temporary restraining order (TRO) to allow for emergency abortions in the state.
So, for now, the TRO will remain in place and allow for emergency abortions in Idaho pending further litigation.
The Daily Citizen will continue to follow this case and provide additional updates.
Image from Getty.
