Texas Attorney General-elect Nathan Johnson Stops Suing Out-of-State Doctors

Texas Attorney General-elect Nathan Johnson announced Tuesday that he will stop suing out-of-state doctors who mail abortion medication to patients in Texas. The decision follows a Democratic sweep of statewide offices and represents a departure from the enforcement strategy used by former Attorney General Ken Paxton.

Johnson stated he will honor the shield laws of other states and refuses to pursue the position that Texas law has extraterritorial effect. He characterized the move as a way to stop using state laws as an instrument of persecution and political showboating.

Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa indicated that repealing the state's near-total abortion ban is not a priority because it would require Republican legislative approval. Hinojosa may instead use executive powers to limit the law's application, such as ending penalties for doctors performing life-saving abortions and influencing appointments to the Texas Medical Board and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.

Anti-abortion advocates expressed concern that the new Democratic leadership may defund the Thriving Texas Families program. Meanwhile, advocates for abortion access, including raven e. Freeborn, continue to push for the complete removal of the ban. Despite Johnson's decision, private bounty hunter lawsuits against abortion providers remain legal.