The White House has refuted claims that President Donald Trump’s administration is stalling anti-abortion initiatives until after the 2026 midterm elections. However, pro-life advocates are expressing serious concerns about this approach.
Reports have emerged indicating that White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles held discussions with Attorney General Todd Blanche, suggesting that he delay any Department of Justice actions related to abortion until after the elections. Despite this, the White House has denied that such conversations took place.
This allegation, even with the denial, has provoked a strong backlash from pro-life leaders online.
Live Action President Lila Rose reacted by stating, “Unborn children cannot be put on a political calendar. Their lives do not become more valuable after Election Day,” in a post on X.
BREAKING: Senior White House officials reportedly urged AG Todd Blanche to delay action on abortion until after the midterms for political reasons.
Unborn children cannot be put on a political calendar. Their lives do not become more valuable after Election Day.
Protect…
— Lila Rose (@LilaGraceRose) October 2, 2026
Kristan Hawkins, president of Students for Life of America (SFLA), also voiced her frustration, stating, “In other words: more babies will die because swampy consultants still lead the GOP astray. Lives are at stake now, not after an election. Abortion does not pause for Washington’s political calendar.”
According to a new report, @AGToddBlanche, our Attorney General, was reportedly told by senior White House officials to delay major action on abortion until after the midterm elections.
In other words: more babies will die because swampy consultants still lead the GOP astray.…
— Kristan Hawkins (@KristanHawkins) October 2, 2026
The backlash comes on the heels of oral arguments by Justice Department attorneys on September 9 during the Louisiana v. FDA case. They reportedly chose not to disclose the administration’s position on abortion pills while the FDA conducts its study.
Abortion pills, like mifepristone, constituted about 63% of abortions in 2023, according to the Guttmacher Institute. A letter from Congress members in June 2025 raised concerns about mifepristone’s potential effects on fertility for both men and women.
There are also troubling findings from a July 2026 peer-reviewed study that detected mifepristone residues in water supplies, levels exceeding the maximum contaminant levels set by the EPA.
Hawkins, who linked concerns about mifepristone to clean water advocacy, mentioned she had “encouraging” talks with Justice Department officials regarding overturning a past opinion from the Biden administration, which deemed the Comstock Act nearly unenforceable.
Attorney General Blanche has expressed his opposition to mail-order abortion pills and plans to enforce the Comstock Act, although he hasn’t publicly addressed abortion since his previous comments about the Trump administration’s agenda to ban the procedure nationwide.
Some leaders in the pro-life movement remain optimistic.
Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, mentioned concerns about the continuation of harm to women and unborn children, stressing, “We are past due for action.”
The White House, DOJ, Live Action, SFLA, and SBA Pro-Life America did not respond to requests for comments.
