More Than 60 Conservative Leaders Urge Prosecution of Women Seeking Abortions
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jun 24
More Than 60 Conservative Leaders Urge Prosecution of Women Seeking Abortions
1 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 24
Summary
More than 60 conservative influencers, antiabortion leaders and pastors signed a petition on Wednesday calling for an end to legal protections that shield women who get abortions from prosecution.
The push reflects growing frustration on the right that abortions have risen since Roe v. Wade was overturned, largely because abortion pills remain accessible even in states that ban the procedure.
Texas Republicans moved earlier this month in the same direction, with state convention delegates backing repeal of criminal exemptions for women who obtain abortions.
The largest antiabortion group in Texas is also testing a narrower approach by proposing license penalties for women with medical credentials who are found to have taken abortion pills.
The campaign marks a break from the antiabortion movement's long-standing position that doctors and providers, not patients, should face punishment.
How might prosecuting women for abortions impact medical care for miscarriages and other wanted pregnancies?
As parts of the U.S. consider prosecuting women, what can be learned from nations that have decriminalized the procedure?
With abortion pills on the rise, how might digital surveillance be used to enforce new laws against women?
The New Front in America’s Abortion Wars: Prosecution of Women, Telehealth Pills, and the Push for Fetal Personhood (2026 Report)
Overview
On June 24, 2026, the abortion debate in the U.S. escalated as conservative leaders pushed to remove legal protections for women seeking abortions, marking a new and aggressive front in the fight over reproductive rights. This shift was driven by frustration over the growing use of abortion pills, especially through telehealth, which allowed women to bypass state bans after Roe v. Wade was overturned. Shield laws in some states enabled telehealth providers to serve patients in places with strict bans, further increasing access. In response, anti-abortion advocates are now targeting women directly, aiming to deter abortion through prosecution and legal threats.