Louisiana Attorney General Challenges Shield Laws Over Abortion Pills

Louisiana Republican Attorney General Liz Murrill is intensifying her campaign against the entry of abortion pills into states where abortions are banned through two legal actions. One lawsuit targets providers accused of distributing these drugs, while another challenges laws in blue states that protect them from prosecution.

On Wednesday, Murrill, along with Attorney Generals Steve Marshall from Alabama and Tim Griffin from Arkansas, filed suits against New York, California, and Massachusetts at the Supreme Court. They claim the shield laws of these states hinder cooperation with probes into abortion-pill providers.

In addition, Louisiana has filed a separate suit against over 30 individuals and organizations accused of advertising, prescribing, dispensing, or shipping abortion pills into states where their distribution is prohibited.

“This is drug dealing and it’s illegal,” Murrill told Fox News Digital. “We will continue enforcing the laws in our states.”

The two lawsuits mark the latest escalation in a growing state-by-state battle over abortion. This conflict has intensified following the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. This ruling overturned Roe v. Wade and granted elected officials the authority to establish abortion policies in their states.

Murrill highlights that the Supreme Court case targets protections offered by blue-state laws, which have previously hindered Louisiana’s attempts to act against out-of-state doctors.

“These shield laws are very comprehensive,” Murrill stated. She argues that California and New York officials are prohibited from aiding other states in enforcing judgments related to abortion conduct.

Louisiana has indicted New York physician Margaret Carpenter and California physician Remy Coeytaux. The charges allege that they prescribed abortion drugs sent into Louisiana. However, New York Governor Kathy Hochul and California Governor Gavin Newsom have refused to extradite the physicians.

The Supreme Court complaint notes Louisiana’s unsuccessful attempt to extradite Carpenter, citing Hochul’s statement to “no way in hell” comply with the request. New York subsequently strengthened its shield law, permitting prescribers to omit their names from prescription labels. Similarly, Newsom denied Louisiana’s request to extradite Coeytaux, asserting California wouldn’t assist other states in punishing doctors for providing abortion services permissible in California.

As Murrill vowed further legal action, Newsom retorted on social media, telling her, “Go f— yourself. California will never help you criminalize healthcare.”

“If I were sending guns illegally into their states, they would certainly pursue action against me,” Murrill told Fox News Digital. “We said we would come after them, and we are.”

She is determined to challenge and dismantle the shield laws using all available resources.

The second lawsuit directly targets what Murrill terms the “pill pipeline.” The 100-page document alleges providers used online questionnaires to collect customer information before mailing abortion drugs to states with a ban on their distribution.

The lawsuit claims some organizations openly acknowledged violating state laws while relying on shield laws for protection. Murrill noted investigators conducted controlled purchases and received pills in small packages, sometimes exceeding standard prescription quantities.

“We’ve seen it for ourselves,” Murrill stated. “There is no supervision, no healthcare, no direct communication. It’s all handled online.”

Murrill argues this system can allow non-pregnant individuals to access the drugs, highlighting instances where women were pressured or misled into consuming abortion medications.

One documented case in Louisiana involved a father who allegedly didn’t want his teenage daughter to maintain a pregnancy. Murrill recounted how he covertly mixed medication into a smoothie and forced her to drink it. The daughter ultimately delivered her baby at 23 weeks, who remains in a NICU, battling for survival.

She emphasized Louisiana’s need for more assistance from the Trump administration.

“It’s evident the FDA could be doing more, and we have urged them to act,” Murrill noted.

Louisiana has separately opposed federal rules removing the in-person dispensing requirement for mifepristone.

Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America President Marjorie Dannenfelser supported the litigation, accusing blue states of using their laws “to obstruct justice” and calling for the Justice Department to settle Louisiana’s separate FDA case.

“Democrats’ pro-abortion extremism has driven this country to a crisis,” Dannenfelser commented, highlighting that abortion activists openly distribute dangerous drugs across state lines, negatively impacting women and children.

Fox News Digital approached the governor’s offices of New York, California, and Massachusetts for their comments. Elaine Mallon covers national politics for Fox News Digital and Fox Business.