Relatable with Allie Beth Stuckey Episode 1187: Trump DOJ Protects Abortion Pill & Why Pro-Lifers Killed a Pro-Life Bill Guest: Abby Johnson Release Date: May 12, 2025

Introduction

In Episode 1187 of "Relatable with Allie Beth Stuckey," hosted by Blaze Podcast Network, Allie Beth delves into the contentious issues surrounding abortion legislation in the United States. With a particular focus on the Trump administration's stance on the abortion pill and the internal conflicts within the pro-life movement that led to the shelving of a significant pro-life bill in Texas, Allie Beth brings insightful analysis and expert commentary. Special guest Abby Johnson, a prominent pro-life activist and former Planned Parenthood employee, joins the conversation to shed light on legislative developments in Texas.

Federal-Level Abortion Pill Legislation

Allie Beth opens the discussion by addressing a recent Politico report revealing that the Department of Justice (DOJ) under the Trump administration is actively defending FDA regulations that permit the distribution of the abortion pill mifepristone online or by mail. She highlights the legal battle involving three states—Idaho, Kansas, and Missouri—that have challenged the FDA's decision to extend the permissible use of mifepristone from seven to ten weeks of pregnancy.

Allie Beth Stuckey [04:50]: "It seems like the Trump administration wants to, no matter what, make sure that the abortion pill is accessed."

Allie expresses concern over the safety of women using the pill without medical supervision, citing a recent study from the Foundation for the Restoration of America. The study reports that approximately 11.2% of over 150,000 women experienced serious adverse events after taking mifepristone, a figure significantly higher than FDA estimates.

Allie Beth Stuckey [06:20]: "The abortion pill is extremely dangerous for women, especially when you can get it by mail... there is no requirement that you see a doctor that can verify actually how far along you are."

She criticizes the Trump administration and related policies for allegedly prioritizing political ideologies over women's health and safety.

Planned Parenthood and Cross-Sex Hormones for Minors

Transitioning to another critical issue, Allie Beth discusses investigative findings by Live Action, led by Lila Rose, which reveal that Planned Parenthood is prescribing cross-sex hormones to minors through same-day virtual appointments. This practice bypasses necessary mental health evaluations and medical oversight, raising significant ethical and legal concerns.

Allie Beth Stuckey [11:30]: "Fox News is reporting on Planned Parenthood's story... They are the biggest supplier of cross sex hormones for minors."

She underscores the gravity of taxpayer dollars funding Planned Parenthood's controversial practices, linking them to broader pro-life concerns about the organization's impact on women and children.

Legislation in Texas: An Interview with Abby Johnson

The episode's centerpiece is an in-depth interview with Abby Johnson, who provides firsthand insights into the legislative struggles within Texas. She discusses House Bill 2197, introduced by Representative Brent Money, which aims to classify abortion as murder—aligning legal consequences for abortion with those for homicide.

Abby Johnson [17:37]: "If we truly believe that babies inside the womb are people... then they deserve the same legal protections that you and I do."

Abby outlines the unexpected obstruction of the bill by Texas Alliance for Life, a prominent pro-life group, which pressured Representative John Smithy to withdraw the legislation from committee hearings. This internal conflict within the pro-life movement poses significant challenges to advancing stricter abortion laws.

Abby Johnson [20:40]: "Texas Alliance for Life... demanded and put pressure on John Smithy and said, you better pull this bill."

Allie Beth probes Abby on the motivations behind this obstruction, suggesting that some pro-life factions may fear that stringent laws could backfire politically, alienating potential supporters.

Allie Beth Stuckey [24:56]: "Is that accurate if you know what they're thinking? And what would your response be to that?"

Abby counters by emphasizing that the obstruction is not a strategic retreat but a result of undue influence from groups that do not fully support the bill's intentions.

Challenges in Enforcing Abortion Laws

Abby Johnson elaborates on the practical challenges of enforcing abortion bans, particularly in the context of the Human Life Protection Act in Texas, which criminalizes abortion but currently lacks penalties for women undergoing the procedure.

Abby Johnson [26:57]: "In the state of Texas, it is technically illegal to get an abortion... however, there's no penalty."

She highlights the loopholes that allow women to obtain abortion pills from international sources, circumventing local laws and medical supervision. Abby advocates for legislation that not only decriminalizes abortion but also imposes penalties to deter the practice effectively.

Abby Johnson [27:07]: "The goal is that women will see a bill like this. They will know that there could possibly be a penalty and that they would say that's not worth it."

Drawing from her personal experience, Abby underscores the importance of punitive measures in preventing abortions, arguing that the threat of legal consequences can serve as a powerful deterrent.

Abby Johnson [30:30]: "I have had two abortions... I would have never had my first abortion if I knew there was a penalty."

Internal Dynamics within the Pro-Life Movement

Allie Beth and Abby discuss the evolving nature of the pro-life movement, noting a shift from viewing women seeking abortions as victims to addressing them as individuals making conscious decisions.

Abby Johnson [32:25]: "The women that are going in to have abortions today... are yelling back at me. They're telling me, this is my 6 abortion."

Abby emphasizes the need for consistency in legal protections, contrasting the severe penalties for crimes like murder with the leniency afforded to women seeking abortions.

Abby Johnson [36:50]: "If we believe abortion is murder, then we should act like it."

Call to Action and Legislative Advocacy

In closing, Abby Johnson urges listeners to take active roles in advocating for pro-life legislation. She encourages contacting legislators, specifically Representative John Smithy, to demand hearings for pro-life bills and to support organizations that align with advocating for the unborn.

Abby Johnson [38:40]: "Call John Smithy's office, email his office, demand that he give this bill a hearing."

She also advises donations to trustworthy pro-life organizations that support equal protection laws for the unborn, highlighting the importance of aligning charitable contributions with one’s values.

Conclusion

Episode 1187 of "Relatable with Allie Beth Stuckey" offers a comprehensive exploration of the current challenges and dynamics within the abortion debate in the United States. Through incisive analysis and expert insights from Abby Johnson, Allie Beth presents a nuanced perspective on federal and state-level legislative battles, exposing both external opposition and internal conflicts within the pro-life movement. The episode serves as a call to action for listeners to engage actively in legislative advocacy and support organizations committed to protecting the rights of the unborn.

Notable Quotes:

• Allie Beth Stuckey [04:50]: "It seems like the Trump administration wants to, no matter what, make sure that the abortion pill is accessed."

• Allie Beth Stuckey [06:20]: "The abortion pill is extremely dangerous for women, especially when you can get it by mail... there is no requirement that you see a doctor that can verify actually how far along you are."

• Abby Johnson [17:37]: "If we truly believe that babies inside the womb are people... then they deserve the same legal protections that you and I do."

• Abby Johnson [20:40]: "Texas Alliance for Life... demanded and put pressure on John Smithy and said, you better pull this bill."

• Abby Johnson [26:57]: "In the state of Texas, it is technically illegal to get an abortion... however, there's no penalty."

• Abby Johnson [32:25]: "The women that are going in to have abortions today... are yelling back at me. They're telling me, this is my 6 abortion."

• Abby Johnson [36:50]: "If we believe abortion is murder, then we should act like it."

This summary encapsulates the critical discussions from Episode 1187, providing listeners and non-listeners alike with a clear understanding of the complex issues surrounding abortion legislation, the abortion pill, and the internal challenges faced by the pro-life movement in Texas.