Sen. Hawley Continues Attacks On Mifepristone Access As Republicans Go After Judicial Independence During Sham Hearing

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 3, 2025

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Washington, DC– On Tuesday, the Senate Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on The Constitution and the Subcommittee on Federal Courts, Oversight, Agency Action, and Federal Rights held a joint hearing focused on the power of the judiciary to serve as a check on the executive branch. As the use of “District Judges v. Trump” in the title of the meeting suggests, this hearing was little more than a means for Republican senators to level further attacks against federal judges who have slowed down or struck down parts of President Trump’s illegal agenda. Republican Senators used the hearing to air out their personal frustrations by talking over and badgering the minority witness.

During the hearing, Senator Hawley (R-MO) highlighted Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk’s nationwide injunction against the FDA’s approval of the abortion pill, mifepristone. On Monday, Sen. Hawley made public that the FDA will be conducting a review of mifepristone’s safety upon his request. 

In response, Demand Justice Interim Executive Director Maggie Jo Buchanan released the following statement: 

“Senate Republicans have shown us time and time again that their cruelty knows no bounds. Despite decades of FDA approval and safe use, Senator Hawley is continuing the right-wing crusade against mifepristone, a lifesaving medication. This comes not long after Trump made four judicial nominations in Missouri, including Sen. Hawley’s own former staffer—Joshua Divine. Some of these nominees have deeply troubling anti-abortion work in their backgrounds, including trying to overturn the FDA’s approval of the drug.”

“From the Senate Republicans’ absurd and underhanded hearing that, once again, attacks judges and tries to kneecap the courts in service of Trump’s dangerous agenda, to Trump’s extreme, loyalist judicial nominees, the MAGA-right continues its effort to expand presidential power at the cost of our rights, future, and democracy.” 

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