DOJ Sues Idaho to Block Abortion Trigger Law

US Attorney General Merrick Garland (D)

On August 2, the US Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against the state of Idaho in an attempt to stop the state from enforcing a "trigger" law that would ban abortion except in cases of rape, incest, or to save the life of the mother.

The Justice Department argues that the law violates the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, which requires medical facilities to provide treatment for patients experiencing medical emergencies. It argues that the Idaho abortion law's exception to save the life of the mother is too vague.

“Instead of complying with the requirements of this provision [the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act],” Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden (R) said, “or even attempting to engage Idaho in a meaningful dialogue on the issue, the federal government has chosen to waste taxpayer dollars on an unnecessary lawsuit.”

Idaho Gov. Brad Little (R) said that he will work with Wasden to defend the law from the Biden administration's "politically motivated" lawsuit.

Unless blocked by a judge, Idaho's abortion ban would take effect on August 25.

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