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Conservative leaders push to prosecute women who have abortions

newsJun 25, 202643647

On June 24, 2026 the New York Times reported that more than 60 conservative influencers, pastors and anti-abortion leaders signed a petition urging criminal charges for women who obtain abortions and calling for the removal of legal immunities that have largely shielded patients from prosecution. The signees argue that prosecuting women is necessary to deter abortions; one advocate asked, "What is the accountability for these women?" and another, Mr. Pierce, said the effort is "where we need to be spending the most political capital" and "the hill we need to be willing to die on." Historically U.S. abortion prosecutions targeted providers rather than patients because 19th and 20th century statutes were framed to protect women from unsafe practitioners; supporters of the petition say that precedent should change. The petition seeks to pressure Republican lawmakers to pursue legislation or prosecutions that would alter longstanding exemptions and open the door for state-level criminal cases against people who end pregnancies. Opponents and some past public backlashes, including a failed Alabama proposal, show such measures can provoke strong political and public resistance. If state legislatures or prosecutors act on the petition, prosecutors could begin filing charges against patients in hostile jurisdictions, intensifying legal risks for pregnant people and shaping criminal enforcement ahead of upcoming elections.

Dean Obeidallah
@deanobeidallah.bsky.social

"Support Builds on the Right for Prosecuting Women Who Get Abortions. ‘What is the accountability for these women?’” Of course this where the GOP is heading. The GOP is about religious fascism. Oppressing women is a big part of that. Gift link below www.nytimes.com/2026/06/24/u...

26845d ago
WatchYourRepsSC&TN22

What happens to the men who caused the pregnancy? Nothing.

Willow215

Time to build support for prosecuting hospitals and doctors who refuse to give an abortion and the woman dies. Negligent homicide would work. They have given in to the fear of being prosecuted if they give an abortion - make them more afraid of letting a woman die when they don't.

Lisa11

Where is the accountability for the sperm donors?! Women don’t get pregnant alone will they be prosecuting both partners? Of course not because this is about control and oppression. My daughter has less rights than a did at her age and that is disgusting. When it all burns down women need to lead.

Cub Green8

I told a MAGA lady that my mom would have died from a septic pregnancy when I was 17 if current Texas laws were in place. She said I was just making excuses for killing babies. I have so many stories from MAGA crazies I know. These people are incredibly dangerous.

mkinva.bsky.social7

This has been the position of the Republican Party for decades. Many states retain criminal statutes punishing women for abortion only in limbo due to Roe. Every year since Reagan Republicans have filed bills to punish women and but for Roe would have passed. This is who they have always been.

Cooper Hamilton6

This was always going to be the goal of the Republican Christo-fascists.

Self Driving Humans5

How about prosecuting men who don't wear condoms and get women pregnant?

Judy Gressel5

Spread the word. Vote them all out

dede-jd.bsky.social5

If Dems control the House and Senate after the midterms, it's time to ratify the ERA amendment and stick it to the "tradwife" movement.

estherinthemiddle.bsky.social4

This makes my blood boil. Maybe the number of abortions would go down if they legislated parental leave, affordable housing, healthcare, and affordable daycare and education. But governing is less fun than oppressing women I guess. And “preborn children”, really? These fu@&ing people.

John in Western New York4

Imagine this being their hill to climb while refusing to prosecute people who rape, torture and murder children.

HollyD 🦉⚡️🌎☮️🦋🇺🇦🌻🇺🇸4

Next they’ll try to bring back burning witches on stakes and stitching bright magat-red A’s on the clothing of women who speak.

AnneC4

That "abortion is murder" is indeed a religious argument. See Indiana for more. bit.ly/4tct3kz

blaircole57.bsky.social3

That’s what they get for making themselves pregnant. (Where is the accountability for men?)

Chewymom2

I’m waiting for the day they begin prosecutions retroactively against women who had abortions 30 years ago. Got my passport ready.

Don2

Prosecute a woman for getting an aboriginal, but then deny families with children SNAP & Medicaid/Medicare benefits because they only make minimum wages which hasn't increased nationally in more than 15 years. Gang of Pedophiles strikes again

Nancy Klein2

Because women get pregnant by themselves. 🙄

𝔸𝕝𝕝 𝕋𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤2

Republican men need their penises tied in a knot.

Ole Farm Gal2

Abortion is not murder but a woman’s prerogative in the Jewish faith. That doesn’t mean a woman changes her mind 8-9 months in and kills a baby, it means she has the control of HER body, to make choices that give her autonomy. Women have rights over their own bodies.

Lynnette Dubois 2

Support builds for the castration of people who protected Epstein.

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