Acting Attorney General vows to use 1873 Comstock Act to block mailed abortion pills

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, during a private briefing with anti-abortion activists organized by the White House Faith Office and Intercessors for America, asserted that the Trump administration is collaborating with HHS, the FDA and the White House to cement the Dobbs decision’s effect in all states. He also promised a crackdown on abortion medication delivered by mail, hinting at the possible revival of the 1873 Comstock Act, which once prohibited “lewd” materials from being mailed.

Senator Tina Smith of Minnesota criticized the plan, saying it would resurrect a pre-women-suffrage law to ban medication abortions nationwide. Reproductive-rights correspondent Amy Littlefield called the proposal a “zombie law” and emphasized that bans do not stop abortions but increase harm, noting that abortions have risen because of mail-order pills. The Justice Department’s approach is under scrutiny as Blanche’s confirmation vote proceeds in the Senate. Additional context included discussion of FDA safety reviews of mifepristone and the role of telemedicine providers like The MAP in supplying pills to states with bans.