Federal Court Blocks the Trump Administration from Defunding Planned Parenthood

A judge ruled that defunding Planned Parenthood is not “in the public interest” because it would lead to clinic closures and disrupt patients’ access to health care.

Planned Parenthood
Jeff Roberson/AP

A federal court on Friday again blocked the Trump administration from prohibiting Planned Parenthood clinics from receiving federal funds, marking the fourth time the Trump administration has been blocked from defunding the organization.

President Donald Trump’s reconciliation bill includes a measure that defunds Planned Parenthood for one year, which was set to take effect in October. The ruling will prevent that from happening, delivering a blow to the anti-abortion movement — at least temporarily.

The government indicated in a court filing ahead of the ruling that it intends to challenge Judge Indira Talwani’s latest order and expects the case to potentially reach the Supreme Court. It could face better prospects there: The Supreme Court effectively decided in June that states can remove Planned Parenthood from their Medicaid programs.