White House says ignoring judge's abortion pill ruling would set 'dangerous precedent'

The White House said on Monday that it would be a “dangerous precedent” for the administration to ignore a federal judge’s decision last week blocking the sale of an abortion pill.

“But I’ll say this, you know, as a dangerous precedent is set for the court to set aside the FDA’s and expert judgment regarding a drug’s safety and efficiency, it will also set a dangerous precedent for this administration to disregard a binding decision,” White House press secretary Jean-Pierre said at her briefing on Monday. “We are ready to fight this. This is going to be a long fight. We understand this. We stand by FDA approval of mifepristone.”

Jean-Pierre’s comments came after a federal judge in Texas ruled on Friday to suspend the FDA’s approval of mifepristone, a drug that can be used in tandem with another to induce an abortion. Though it isn’t set to take effect for a week, the decision virtually bans the sale of the pills across the country.

On Friday, Democrats such as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York said the Biden administration should ignore the ruling, and GOP Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina agreed on Monday.

“It’s not up to us to decide as legislators or even, you know, as the court system whether this is the right drug to use or not,” Mace told CNN.

On Monday, the Justice Department asked an appeals court to put on hold the Friday ruling.

“We get the frustration regarding this decision. Absolutely,” Jean-Pierre said on Monday. “And that’s why we were quick to act. That’s why you saw DOJ take action.”