“The temporary restraining order granted by the Travis County district judge purporting to allow an abortion to proceed will not insulate hospitals, doctors or anyone else from civil and criminal liability for violating Texas’ abortion laws,” Paxton said in a statement shortly after the judge’s decision. “This includes first degree felony prosecutions…and civil penalties of not less than $100,000 for each violation.
Paxton added, ominously: “The [judge’s temporary restraining order] will expire long before the statute of limitations for violating Texas’ abortion laws expires.”
I honestly can’t see his angle here. In Ireland, a similar case galvanized the famously culturally catholic population in support of abortion. This would be a slam dunk to very publicly allow as a sign that this is a reasonable law. Not allowing it is obviously, clearly pointless in and of itself, as the fetus is non viable. Not allowing it is politically a show of power, but one that even pro life people historically don’t support. He must just think people are different in Texas and Ireland, but I hope he’s wrong.
It’s a losing battle, but Republicans (particularly the ones in power) have been responding to that by doubling down for the past thirty years. It convinced their base that it’s a display of strength and leadership while everyone else looks on in horror.
I guess we’ll see if their strategy ultimately pays off.