Federal Judge Blocks President Trump’s Bill

Two major developments will impact the pro-life movement. First, an Obama-appointed Massachusetts federal judge just blocked President Donald Trump from defunding Planned Parenthood’s abortion clinics – a key provision of the “Big Beautiful Bill.” The judge’s two-week temporary restraining order (TRO) is yet another lawfare roadblock for the Trump Administration to overcome.

We shouldn’t be shocked by the far Left’s latest legal tactic. And in the long term, it’s likely a losing battle for Planned Parenthood, as we explained yesterday. The abortion giant is just trying to survive the next eight to nine months without having its funding cut. If it can get by, future funding will rely on congressional legislation.

In the meantime, the far Left went judge-shopping once again and found one sympathetic to their cause and willing to issue a TRO. And keep in mind: It’s a TRO for two weeks, not an injunction.

In other words, the judge placed a hold on the funding cut to Planned Parenthood, allowing more briefs and hearings to be conducted. And a rogue activist judge somewhere could still try to issue a full injunction on the matter.

Ultimately, Planned Parenthood is going to have to make the argument that it requires federal funding. It’s a private organization. How can it make such an outrageous claim? At the same time, the abortion giant has a lot of allies who will fight on its behalf.

Today’s second major development indirectly impacts the pro-life movement. The IRS just announced that churches can endorse political candidates without fear of losing their tax-exempt status. For years, many pastors have been afraid to speak out on moral issues like abortion – now they have no reason to be silent.

ACLJ Senior Counsel CeCe Heil explained the history of churches being restricted from political messaging:

A consent agreement was entered into between the IRS and two churches, and it involves the Johnson Amendment. And if you’re not familiar with the Johnson Amendment – that was an amendment in 1954, which basically restricts churches from participating or intervening in campaigns for public office as a condition for their nonprofit status. . . . If you recall, [with] the Revolutionary War and religious freedom, we were concerned about King George granting licensure to churches and pastors, basically controlling what they could say from the pulpit. So this is kind of what the Johnson Amendment was doing. It was controlling what pastors could say from the pulpit, especially as related to campaigns. . . .

The IRS [is now] saying, We don’t think that the Johnson Amendment reaches to churches because it does violate their First Amendment free speech right, their exercise of religion, due process, equal protection, and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. It violates all of that.

The Trump IRS is possibly creating a pathway to stop free speech from being banned in churches. Christians should seize this moment to preserve free speech even further, and pastors must not be afraid to speak out against the evils of abortion.

Today’s two developments are a clarion call for the pro-life movement. Now is the time to take action. Write letters to your elected officials – let them know your support of the unborn.

Did abortionists give up when Roe was overturned? No, they doubled down on efforts to overturn pro-life legislation in the states. That’s why the ACLJ is in Missouri taking the fight directly to Planned Parenthood and other abortion groups.

And the abortion industry doubled down on extremism in states where abortions are still legal. For example, in Massachusetts, it’s using taxpayer dollars to fund a smear campaign against pro-life pregnancy centers. The ACLJ filed a lawsuit against this unlawful campaign and launched a counter-campaign celebrating the life-saving services of these safe havens for women.

So pro-life advocates can’t rest on their laurels. Yes, major strides have been made to protect the unborn, yet the legal fights are far from over. Join our fight by signing our petition to defeat Planned Parenthood in court and making a donation during our 35 Years of Justice Drive. Your gifts are doubled.

Today’s Sekulow broadcast included a full analysis of yet another federal judge blocking President Trump’s agenda. Former Acting Director of National Intelligence Ric Grenell responded to California Governor Gavin Newsom’s public criticism of him.

Watch the full broadcast below: