Recently, Dr. Evan Lenow joined a coalition letter to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, urging the Department of Justice (DOJ) to resolve Louisiana v. FDA and end its defense of the mail-order abortion drug industry. Leaders from over 80 groups joined Lenow in signing the letter led by Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America
This follow-up letter calls on the incoming attorney general to prioritize settling Louisiana vs. FDA and articulates that the DOJ should allow mifepristone lawsuits to proceed in pro-life states.
What is the background on abortion drug lawsuits?
In 2026, the DOJ requested the pause or dismissal of three separate lawsuits that seek justice for women harmed by the chemical abortion pill, mifepristone. The three cases were brought by six states: Missouri, Idaho, Kansas, Florida, Texas, and Louisiana. DOJ argues that the cases cannot proceed while the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is still reviewing the drug’s safety.
Allegedly, FDA’s safety review was to be completed this spring. We are past the due date, and the FDA has given no indication of a soon-to-be-completed review, even though an abundance of safety data exists. This impending safety review is also the FDA’s justification for not reinstating safety requirements.
How has the ERLC advocated against abortion drugs?
In April, Todd Blanche was named as acting attorney general. A letter (signed by Dr. Hollingsworth) was sent shortly afterward asking the DOJ to::
- 1) side with pro-life attorneys general who are suing the FDA to protect their citizens from the harms of abortion drugs, and
- 2) stop FDA policies that undermine state law.
In our efforts to bring an end to abortion, the ERLC has persistently worked to curb access to the chemical abortion pill. While the judicial branch examines this case, the executive branch can take swift action. The ERLC sent a letter to the Trump administration in January calling upon the FDA to remove mifepristone from the market.
What’s next in the abortion drug case?
On June 8, President Trump nominated Blanche to be the next attorney general. The Senate will consider his nomination in July. At the same time, Louisiana v. FDA is back before the Fifth Circuit, where the appellate court will assess the merits of the case before it can continue making its way through the courts. We anticipate it could return to the Supreme Court next summer.
