Tuesday, July 8, 2025

Obama Judge DENIES Bid to Strengthen Election Integrity.

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What Happened: U.S. District Judge Amy Totenberg ruled to dismiss a case challenging Georgia’s electronic voting system, citing a lack of standing, despite recognizing substantial concerns about the system’s security and administration.

👥 Who’s Involved: The ruling affects plaintiffs including the Coalition for Good Governance and various Georgia voters. The case, Curling v. Raffensperger, has been ongoing since 2017.

📍 Where & When: The decision was issued in the Northern District of Georgia on a late Monday.

💬 Key Quote: “Plaintiffs lack standing to pursue their claims because neither of these asserted injuries constitute an invasion of a legally protected interest under governing precedent,” Judge Totenberg wrote.

⚠️ Impact: The dismissal leaves Georgia’s use of the Ballot Marking Device system in place despite security concerns, while plaintiffs consider exploring an appeal.

IN FULL:

In Georgia, U.S. District Judge Amy Totenberg has dismissed a long-standing case aiming to move the state’s election system to hand-marked paper ballots. The case, Curling v. Raffensperger, initiated in 2017, sought to replace the electronic voting system currently in use, citing risks regarding the security and accuracy of the Ballot Marking Device (BMD) system. The Barack Obama-appointed judge’s decision, issued late on April 1, found the plaintiffs lacked legal standing—despite acknowledging significant concerns about the electronic voting system’s administration and security.

“Plaintiffs lack standing to pursue their claims because neither of these asserted injuries constitute an invasion of a legally protected interest under governing precedent,” Judge Totenberg said.

The plaintiffs in this case included the Coalition for Good Governance and several Georgia voters. They have argued that the existing system, which relies on a QR code to tally votes, does not allow voters to verify that the system recorded their intentions accurately.

The QR code used on ballots is not readable to voters, prompting concerns over the integrity of the vote tabulation. Judge Totenberg, referencing the plaintiffs’ injuries as not legally actionable, stated that these concerns do not invade a legally protected interest.

A major point of contention for the plaintiffs was the system’s vulnerability to potential manipulation. Dr. J. Alex Halderman, a computer science expert, provided testimony during the trial demonstrating how the system could be exploited, including altering QR codes to change voter selections and accessing the system via simple physical manipulation.

Despite these concerns, the ruling affirms the use of Georgia’s electronic voting system for the time being, leaving the future of the voting system’s security unresolved.

The ruling comes just days after the Trump administration and Attorney General Pam Bondi dropped a lawsuit against electoral reform in Georgia, initiated by the former Biden government. That lawsuit had demanded that Georgia scrap its voting laws passed after the 2020 elections. This included measures such as stricter voter ID requirements for mail-in ballots and more.

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DOGE Employee Takes Helm at U.S. Institute of Peace, Court Filing Reveals.

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What Happened: A court filing revealed that a Trump administration official from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is overseeing the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP).

👥 Who’s Involved: Nate Cavanaugh, an official of the Department of Government Efficiency, alongside board members from the U.S. Institute of Peace.

📍 Where & When: The developments were filed in federal court, with a status hearing conducted on Tuesday.

💬 Key Quote: “The deal is no longer merely ‘proposed’ but done, rendering plaintiffs’ requested relief moot as to that property,” said Judge Beryl Howell.

⚠️ Impact: The property of the U.S. Institute of Peace is in the process of being transferred to the General Services Administration, a move which could conclude despite judicial intervention efforts.

IN FULL:

Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) official Nate Cavanaugh has been appointed to replace the U.S. Institute of Peace’s temporary president, according to a recent court filing. The appointment, authorized by two of the institute’s board members, was revealed during a status hearing before U.S. District Court Judge Beryl Howell on Tuesday.

Established by Congress in 1984, the U.S. Institute of Peace has operated as a quasi-non-governmental organization (NGO) for decades—despite it ostensibly falling under the authority of the federal government’s executive branch. In February, President Donald J. Trump issued an executive order mandating the institute downsize its activities to a “statutory minimum.” However, the organization’s far-left leadership dismissed the order, arguing that the institute is a congressionally chartered NGO and not technically part of the executive branch.

The rejection of Trump’s executive order resulted in the institute’s leadership and staff being removed by police last month, with the Trump White House appointing an acting president to oversee its operations. In response to President Trump’s actions, the former leadership of the U.S. Institute of Peace filed a lawsuit in federal court claiming the Trump administration had engaged in an illegal attempt to seize control of the institute. The filing asked Judge Howell to halt the reorganization in order to stop what they allege is a “takeover by force.”

Despite the litigation, Cavanaugh has begun transferring the institute’s property to the General Services Administration (GSA), the government agency that oversees federal contracts and assets. Notably, the GSA has already terminated several federal leases at the urging of DOGE.

Tuesday’s status hearing regarding the request to halt the institute’s reorganization lasted for several hours. Judge Howell eventually ruled that the former leadership’s claims to the institute’s property were moot. “The deal is no longer merely ‘proposed’ but done, rendering plaintiffs’ requested relief moot as to that property,” the judge determined.

Image via USIP.

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Israel-Hating Cornell Student Evades ICE, Self-Deports.

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What Happened: Momodou Taal, a student from Cornell University, left the United States after his student visa was revoked due to involvement in anti-Israel demonstrations.

👥 Who’s Involved: Momodou Taal, a dual citizen of the United Kingdom and Gambia; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE); the Trump administration.

📍 Where & When: Cornell University in Ithaca, New York; Taal’s departure occurred after a recent federal court decision.

💬 Key Quote: “I have lost faith I could walk the streets without being abducted,” Taal said online.

⚠️ Impact: Taal’s departure sheds light on the increased deportation measures for foreign students involved in political agitating. Other international students facing similar issues include Columbia University’s Mahmoud Khalil and Georgetown University’s Badar Khan Suri.

IN FULL:

According to his own online statements, a Cornell University student whose visa was rescinded due to participation in anti-Israel activism has fled the United States. Momodou Taal, a 31-year-old citizen of the Gambia and the United Kingdom, disclosed that he left voluntarily. He cited fears of detention by immigration authorities. He also stated that his decision followed a recent federal ruling that refused to intervene against potential detention while he contested his deportation order.

“I have lost faith I could walk the streets without being abducted,” Taal claimed. U.S. authorities attributed Taal’s recent visa cancelation to his involvement in anti-Semitic campus demonstrations. They were also said to be a violation of university policies, which fostered a hostile setting for Jewish students.

Taal recently attempted to challenge his deportation, asserting his actions should be protected by free speech. However, he reported that the first motion in his lawsuit was denied. He expressed skepticism about remaining in the country without apprehension by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.

Taal’s case is just one of several cases involving students who were ordered to leave amid allegations of involvement in anti-Semitic protests. Notably, Columbia University’s Mahmoud Khalil and Georgetown University’s Badar Khan Suri are entangled in similar disputes. President Donald J. Trump has pledged a strict stance on anti-Israel activism by foreigners at educational institutions, resulting in increased scrutiny and deportations.

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Fauci’s Wife, Conflicted on Wuhan Ethics, Terminated at NIH.

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What Happened: Christine Grady, a bioethicist at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the wife of Anthony Fauci, was notified of a layoff amidst a restructuring at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

👥 Who’s Involved: Christine Grady, Anthony Fauci, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., NIH officials including Clifford Lane and Emily Erbelding.

📍 Where & When: The layoffs were announced on Tuesday; related locations include NIH and Indian Health Service field offices in Alaska, Montana, and Minnesota.

💬 Key Quote: An NIH official described Grady as “a good person with a major conflict of interest,” referring to ethical challenges faced during the suppression of the Wuhan lab leak hypothesis.

⚠️ Impact: The restructuring could mean significant changes in administration at NIH.

IN FULL:

Christine Grady, a prominent bioethicist and the wife of controversial former National Institutes of Health (NIH) official Anthony Fauci, is among several health officials who received layoff notifications on Tuesday, according to reports. This move comes as part of a post-pandemic restructuring effort by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), led by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

These layoffs aim to consolidate administrative roles and modify what has been perceived as an ineffective status quo in the U.S. health administration. Alongside Grady, Clifford Lane, deputy director of clinical research and special projects at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and Emily Erbelding, director of the Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, have also been dismissed.

Like her husband, Grady is controversial. In 2002, she co-authored a paper with him arguing for lower care standards for medical trial participants in the Third World. During the COVID-19 pandemic, in which her husband played a prominent role, she published a paper defending the ethics of corporations “pressuring employees to get vaccinated” and “embarrass[ing] vaccine resistors,” and pushed for children to be enrolled in vaccine trials.

An NIH official cited a potential conflict of interest involving Grady, stating her marriage to Fauci impacted the ability of NIH to address ethical issues openly, especially on critical episodes like the Wuhan lab leak—which he denied or minimized for years.

Anonymous comments by an NIH source revealed that Grady was caught in a “conflicted role” due to her personal ties. “One of the problems when the coverup was going on of the Wuhan lab leak, that whole fiasco, was that they were not listening to anyone giving ethics advice,” the source explained. “If they had had someone at the table with knowledge of this, they would have said: ‘Hey do you want to play it this way, or be more transparent?’… That’s something Christine Grady could have, or should have, done. She wasn’t able to do it because she was Fauci’s wife.”

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Colorado Universities Report DHS Has Revoked Several Student Visas.

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What Happened: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) revoked the F-1 visas of nine students from the University of Colorado and Colorado State University.

👥 Who’s Involved: The students affected were from the University of Colorado’s Boulder and Colorado Springs campuses, as well as Colorado State University.

📍 Where & When: Colorado; the situation was reported on April 1, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “If you lie to us and get a visa, then enter the United States, and with that visa, participate in that sort of activity, we’re going to take away your visa,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

⚠️ Impact: The visa revocations further demonstrate that the Trump administration is serious about removing foreign students engaging in political agitation.

IN FULL:

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has revoked the F-1 visas of nine international students attending universities in Colorado, according to statements from the University of Colorado (CU) and Colorado State University (CSU). The impacted students include four from CU and five from CSU.

Specific reasons for the revocations remain unclear, and it is not confirmed whether the students face any criminal accusations. However, last week, Secretary of State Marco Rubio disclosed that over 300 student visas have been revoked by the Trump administration due to the students having participated in pro-Hamas demonstrations on university campuses.

“If you apply for a visa to enter the United States and be a student, and you tell us that the reason why you’re coming to the United States is not just because you want to write op-eds, but because you want to participate in movements that are involved in doing things like vandalizing universities, harassing students, taking over buildings, creating a ruckus, we’re not going to give you a visa,” Sec. Rubio said, adding: “If you lie to us and get a visa, then enter the United States, and with that visa, participate in that sort of activity, we’re going to take away your visa.”

Once an international student’s visa is revoked, they are no longer allowed to remain in the United States, and deportation proceedings can be initiated if they refuse to return to their country of origin. The National Pulse has previously reported on the attempted deportation of former Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil, allegedly a key instigator of anti-Semitic unrest and intimidation on the school’s campus. Khalil is currently suing the Trump administration to block his deportation and successfully secured a temporary order from a federal judge preventing his immediate removal.

Both CU and CSU have decided not to divulge the identities of the affected students.

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Texas House Declares Annual ‘Pakistan Day.’

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What Happened: The Texas House of Representatives passed a resolution to officially recognize March 23 as “Pakistan Day.”

👥 Who’s Involved: State Representative Dr. Suleman Lalani, Pakistan’s Consul General in Texas Muhammad Aftab Chaudhry, and House Speaker Dustin Burrows.

📍 Where & When: Texas House of Representatives, late March.

💬 Key Quote: “Today, we celebrate Pakistan’s rich history, resilience, and vibrant cultural heritage.” — Rep. Suleman Lalani.

⚠️ Impact: This resolution dedicates a day to celebrating Pakistan annually in Texas, underlining the growing cultural impact of immigration on the United States.

IN FULL:

A resolution recognizing March 23 as “Pakistan Day” has been passed by the Texas House of Representatives. Democratic State Representative Dr. Suleman Lalani, a Pakistani immigrant, introduced the resolution, highlighting the cultural heritage of fellow Pakistanis, to mark 85 years since the Pakistan Resolution, also known as Qarardad-e-Pakistan.

“This pivotal moment in 1940 laid the foundation for Pakistan’s independence and remains a source of pride for Pakistanis worldwide,” he said.

At the Texas House, Pakistan’s Consul General in Texas, Muhammad Aftab Chaudhry, was present to witness the event. Consul General Chaudhry met with House Speaker Dustin Burrows, expressing appreciation for the support in passing the measure. The consul general also took the opportunity to invite Speaker Burrows, alongside a delegation of state representatives and Texas business leaders, to visit Pakistan.

Despite its reputation as a conservative state, the GOP delegation in the Texas House is unusually left-leaning. Burrows, a BlackRock-linked Republican, owes his position to Democratic votes, with more Republicans having voted for rival candidate David Cook. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick remarked at the time, “This may be the first time in our nation’s history where the minority party openly elected the speaker of a legislative body instead of the majority party.”

Similarly, Burrows’s predecessor, Dade Phelan, allowed Democrats to drive much of the House agenda, including a shambolic impeachment effort against Attorney General Ken Paxton, an America First ally of President Donald J. Trump.

Following the House proceedings, Consul General Chaudhry attended a Ramadan iftar dinner at the Texas Capitol, hosted by Dr. Lalani. This gathering included members from both legislative houses and local dignitaries.

WATCH:

Image by Susmanhamza.

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Islamist Axeman Attacks Christian Festival.

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What Happened: An attack occurred during an Assyrian Christian festival in northern Iraq, resulting in injuries to three people.

👥 Who’s Involved: The attacker remains unidentified. Victims include a 17-year-old boy, a 75-year-old woman, and a member of local security forces. Ninab Yousif Toma of the Assyrian Democratic Movement responded to the incident.

📍 Where & When: The attack took place during the Akitu parade in Dohuk, northern Iraq.

💬 Key Quote: “We request both governments to review the religious and education curriculums that plant hate in people’s heads and encourage ethnic and religious extremism,” said Ninab Yousif Toma.

⚠️ Impact: An investigation is underway, and the Assyrian Christian community plans to file a lawsuit. The incident has raised concerns about religious and ethnic extremism affecting minorities in the region.

IN FULL:

An axe-wielding Muslim caused chaos at a Christian festival in Dohuk, northern Iraq, hospitalizing three people. The event, part of the Akitu parade celebrating the Assyrian New Year, attracted numerous Christians dressed in vibrant attire, waving flags in observance of the New Year.

Local security forces reported that the unknown assailant attacked a group of parade-goers, chanting Islamist slogans including, “Islamic State, the Islamic State remains.” Two severely injured victims—a young man, aged 17, and an elderly woman, 75—sustained skull fractures. A local security officer was also injured during the incident.

Ninab Yousif Toma, affiliated with the Assyrian Democratic Movement, addressed the need for government action to combat ethnic and religious extremism. He urged a review of educational content that might incite hatred. “This was obviously an inhumane terrorist attack,” Toma remarked.

“We request both governments to review the religious and education curriculums that plant hate in people’s heads and encourage ethnic and religious extremism,” he added.

Since the 1990s, Akitu celebrations have been carried out peacefully. Toma observed that the Kurdish community in Duhok often extends goodwill gestures towards Assyrians, even during Ramadan fasting periods. He emphasized that this attack would not intimidate the Assyrian Christian community. Authorities have initiated an official investigation. Simultaneously, the Assyrian community aims to pursue legal action.

The violence comes after severe anti-Christian persecutions in neighboring Syria under the new Islamist regime, with over a thousand people reportedly killed last month.

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Trump Hails Wisconsin Voter ID Win as Key to Long-Term Electoral Success.

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What Happened: More than 60 percent of Wisconsin voters approved a state constitutional amendment to enforce voter ID requirements, strengthening existing state election laws.

👥 Who’s Involved: Wisconsin voters, President Donald J. Trump, Republicans, Democrats, Judge Susan Crawford, and Brad Schimel.

📍 Where & When: Wisconsin’s Spring Election this past Tuesday.

💬 Key Quote: Trump on Truth Social stated, “This is a BIG WIN FOR REPUBLICANS, MAYBE THE BIGGEST WIN OF THE NIGHT.”

⚠️ Impact: Strengthens the Republican position in Wisconsin, making it more challenging to alter voter ID laws through legal and legislative actions. Despite the win, a left-leaning judge was elected to the state Supreme Court, which could pave the way for other Democratic Party-backed changes to Wisconsin’s election laws.

IN FULL:

Wisconsin voters have decisively approved a constitutional amendment that strengthens state voter ID requirements, with over 60 percent in favor. This new amendment will fortify existing voter ID laws, which have been in place since 2011, from legal and legislative challenges.

President Donald J. Trump praised the amendment’s approval by Wisconsin voters, suggesting it secures a strategic advantage for Republicans in the state for the foreseeable future. “VOTER I.D. JUST APPROVED IN WISCONSIN ELECTION. Democrats fought hard against this, presumably so they can CHEAT. This is a BIG WIN FOR REPUBLICANS, MAYBE THE BIGGEST WIN OF THE NIGHT,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social late Tuesday night.

He added: “IT SHOULD ALLOW US TO WIN WISCONSIN, LIKE I JUST DID IN THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, FOR MANY YEARS TO COME!”

Republicans in Wisconsin pushed for the constitutional amendment to protect the law from potential changes by a future Democratic government or the state’s Supreme Court. Tuesday’s election also saw far-left judge Susan Crawford defeat conservative candidate Brad Schimel in a race for an open seat on the state’s high court—placing further importance on the adoption of the voter ID amendment.

Voter ID laws remain almost universally popular among the broader American electorate. Notably, an October survey by Gallup found that 84 percent of voters support the election integrity measures. However, the Democratic Party—through lawfare and legislative action—continues to work against voter ID requirements, claiming such laws disenfranchise voters.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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Le Pen Will Appeal Heinous Lawfare Case Barring Her From Presidential Race.

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What Happened: Marine Le Pen, leader of France’s National Rally (RN) party, was found guilty of misusing European Union (EU) funds by a Paris court, sentenced to four years in prison (two suspended, two under house arrest), fined €100,000 (~$105,000), and barred from the 2027 presidential race. The populist political leader is now appealing the verdict.

👥 Who’s Involved: Marine Le Pen; French judiciary; Matthieu Almeras, Paris bar lawyer; Gabriel Attal, former French Prime Minister.

📍 Where & When: Paris court ruling decision announced on a Monday; Paris Court of Appeal ruling expected by summer 2026.

💬 Key Quote: “This is a double-edged sword for Le Pen, who could receive a heavier or lighter sentence,” stated Matthieu Almera, a French legal commentator.

⚠️ Impact: Le Pen has filed an appeal delaying prison and financial penalties but maintaining ineligibility for office; questions are being raised about the speed of the appeal process.

IN FULL:

Marine Le Pen, the leader of France’s populist National Rally party and 2027 presidential election frontrunner, has declared her intention to challenge a recent Paris court verdict that found her guilty of embezzling European Union funds. Following the verdict, the court sentenced Le Pen to four years in prison, with two years suspended and two under house arrest, accompanied by a fine of €100,000. The court also ruled that Le Pen is prohibited from participating in any elections for the next five years, rendering her unable to compete in the 2027 presidential election.

While Le Pen’s appeal delays the imposition of a prison sentence and fine, her ineligibility to run for public office remains intact. The Paris Court of Appeal is now set to evaluate her case, with a decision anticipated by mid-2026. According to French legal commentator Matthieu Almeras, the appeal “is a double-edged sword for Le Pen, who could receive a heavier or lighter sentence.”

Should the initial judgment stand, Le Pen has further judicial avenues, including the Court of Cassation, which reviews procedural adherence rather than case facts, and potentially the European Court of Human Rights, although such cases would extend beyond the 2027 electoral timeline, given the exhaustive nature of the processes involved.

The relatively rapid processing of Le Pen’s appeal has also sparked debate within France’s legal circles. Political opponents of Le Pen and the National Rally contend the expedited legal proceedings raise questions of fairness and equality under the law. Former French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, the leader of Emmanuel Macron‘s Renaissance party, criticized the fast pace of the appeal, telling reporters on Tuesday that he wouldn’t know what to say to those whose appeals might be delayed so that the court can take up Le Pen’s legal challenge. However, the obvious answer to this is that a slower appeal might leave her unable to run in 2027 even if she pleads her case successfully.

Many regard Le Pen’s conviction, which hinges on the fact she used assistants at the European Parliament, paid via EU funds, to perform domestic party work, as a farce. Even liberal journalists concede that “hundreds” of European Parliament members use their parliamentary assistants in this way without sanction.

Image by Vox España.

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Supreme Court Weighs Gutting Planned Parenthood’s Govt Funding.

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What Happened: The U.S. Supreme Court is deliberating if Medicaid recipients can file lawsuits to access specific healthcare providers, focusing on South Carolina’s decision to exclude abortion giant Planned Parenthood from Medicaid funding.

👥 Who’s Involved: The Supreme Court justices, Medicaid beneficiaries, Planned Parenthood, South Carolina government officials, and Julie Edwards, a plaintiff and Medicaid recipient.

📍 Where & When: The case is being heard in Washington, D.C., with arguments presented on Wednesday. The decision is anticipated by the end of the Court’s term in June.

💬 Key Quote: “Congress specifically enacted this provision in response to some States’ efforts to restrict Medicaid patients’ choice of provider,” the plaintiffs stated.

⚠️ Impact: The outcome could impact Medicaid beneficiaries’ choice of healthcare providers and potentially reduce government funding sources for Planned Parenthood.

IN FULL:

The U.S. Supreme Court is set to decide whether Medicaid beneficiaries can legally challenge South Carolina’s exclusion of Planned Parenthood from its state Medicaid program over the vast number of abortions it carries out. This case will test whether states truly have the right to adopt pro-life stances.

South Carolina, led by Republican Governor Henry McMaster, cut Planned Parenthood from receiving Medicaid payments in 2018, though these did not cover abortion services. State officials argue this move complies with federal prohibitions on government funding for abortion services. They claim that allocating Medicaid funds to Planned Parenthood amounts to indirectly subsidizing abortions.

Julie Edwards, a Medicaid recipient, initiated legal action against South Carolina. She claimed that disallowing Planned Parenthood from the Medicaid program infringes on the Medicaid Act. “Congress specifically enacted this provision in response to some States’ efforts to restrict Medicaid patients’ choice of provider,” the plaintiffs said.

Typically, Planned Parenthood receives a significant portion of its funding through government grants, contracts, and Medicaid reimbursements. State representatives argue that Medicaid recipients have alternative healthcare options.

Should the court rule in favor of Edwards and Planned Parenthood, the lawsuit against the state’s funding exclusion would proceed. Conversely, a decision in favor of South Carolina could strengthen similar exclusion efforts in other states. The judgment is expected to be delivered by the end of the Supreme Court’s term in June.

While Planned Parenthood claims it does more than abort babies, the organization has been accused of heinous actions in the past involving abortions. Last year, the Missouri Attorney General sued the group for trafficking minors for abortions without their parents’s consent. In another case, documents claimed that the University of California-San Diego was even buying the body parts of aborted babies from the group.

Image by Billy Wilson.

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