The Trump administration will proceed with its plans to defund Planned Parenthood after the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals lifted two preliminary injunctions that aimed to obstruct the withdrawal of federal funds.
Explainer State, Federal Law Enforcers Must Tackle Abortion Drug Cartel
Republicans in Congress initiated the move to defund Planned Parenthood earlier this year through a provision in the Big Beautiful Bill. Following a tiebreaker vote that sent the legislation to President Donald Trump for signing in July, Planned Parenthood filed a lawsuit against the administration. The organization argued that the cessation of federal funding was "unlawful" and would jeopardize nearly 200 Planned Parenthood facilities.
On July 21, a district court, presided over by a judge nominated by a Democratic president, ordered the administration to halt the enforcement of the policy designed to cut off taxpayer dollars to Planned Parenthood for one year. The court mandated that the administration ensure Medicaid funding continued to be disbursed in the customary manner to Planned Parenthood Association of Utah and other members of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America.
A second preliminary injunction was issued on July 28, expanding the order to include the Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts and all other members of the organization’s network.
However, a court order posted on Thursday stated that Trump’s Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services had sufficiently demonstrated their right to a stay, allowing them to disregard the injunctions.
This ruling means that nearly $800 million in taxpayer funds that Planned Parenthood received during the 2023-2024 period, during which the organization reported a record number of abortions, will no longer be available.
Historically, Planned Parenthood's funding has supported its operations, which critics argue include practices that violate federal law and waste taxpayer dollars. Allegations against the organization include the distribution of controversial medical treatments, improper procedures, and violations of health standards.
Marjorie Dannenfelser, President of SBA Pro-Life America, praised the court's decision, calling it a setback for what she termed "Big Abortion's desperate money grab." She stated, "The American people, through Congress, spoke clearly with the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Taxpayers should not be forced to spend a dime funding a brutal industry that ends at least 1.1 million lives a year, harms women while providing dwindling, substandard health care services, and engages in partisan political activism – especially when more accessible, more comprehensive options outnumber Planned Parenthoods 15 to 1."
Dannenfelser expressed confidence that the Trump administration would prevail against challenges from the abortion industry.
Jordan Boyd is a staff writer at The Federalist and producer of The Federalist Radio Hour. Her work has also appeared in The Daily Wire, Fox News, and RealClearPolitics. She graduated from Baylor University with a degree in political science and a minor in journalism. Follow her on X @jordanboydtx.
Why it matters
- The 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals lifted injunctions, allowing the Trump administration to defund Planned Parenthood, impacting nearly 200 facilities.
- The ruling enables the withdrawal of $800 million in federal funds, significantly affecting Planned Parenthood's operations and services.
- Critics argue that Planned Parenthood's practices violate federal law, raising concerns over taxpayer funding for controversial medical treatments.
What’s next
- Planned Parenthood may appeal the court's decision, seeking to reinstate funding and challenge the legality of the defunding process.
- Congressional Republicans plan to continue supporting the defunding initiative through future legislation and budget proposals.
