Federal Judge Blocks Trump Administration Defunding Planned Parenthood

A federal judge, Indira Talwani, has extended a block on a provision in President Donald Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" that sought to defund Planned Parenthood by banning Medicaid payments to healthcare nonprofits providing abortions and receiving significant federal funding. The judge granted a preliminary injunction, finding that the law likely violates Planned Parenthood's First Amendment rights, particularly regarding associational rights of members who do not provide abortions. The ruling maintains taxpayer funding for Planned Parenthood's non-abortion services, such as cancer screenings and STI treatments, preventing closure of many of its clinics. Although the legislation did not explicitly name Planned Parenthood, it is effectively the primary target, with other reproductive health providers also affected and challenging the law. The Trump administration has indicated it will appeal the injunction, while critics argue the funding ban is a historic victory to stop taxpayer money from supporting abortion providers. The case highlights ongoing legal and political battles over abortion funding and rights under the current administration's policies.