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Judge Declares Biden Mifepristone Rule Illegal, Confirms Safety

7/25/2026

Summary

Story summary

U.S. District Judge Robert Ballou ruled Thursday that the Biden administration’s 2023 special-certification rule for prescribing mifepristone was illegal.
He said the FDA failed to justify the rule despite affirming mifepristone’s safety and effectiveness, ordered it to be reconsidered, and noted he cannot strike it down now.
The Center for Reproductive Rights, representing providers, said the decision confirms mifepristone’s safety and noted it is used in 60% of U.S. abortions.

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Story summary

U.S. District Judge Robert Ballou ruled Thursday that the Biden administration’s 2023 special-certification rule for prescribing mifepristone was illegal.
He said the FDA failed to justify the rule despite affirming mifepristone’s safety and effectiveness, ordered it to be reconsidered, and noted he cannot strike it down now.
The Center for Reproductive Rights, representing providers, said the decision confirms mifepristone’s safety and noted it is used in 60% of U.S. abortions.