Governor Hochul Responds to Paxton's Abortion Lawsuit

Earlier this month, Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) filed a lawsuit against a New York official over a doctor who allegedly mailed abortion-inducing drugs to a Texas resident. In response to the attorney general’s lawsuit, New York Governor Kathy Hochul (D) shared a response on social media, pushing back against any anti-abortion sentiment.

Governor Hochul issued a fiery response over social media regarding the attorney general’s latest legal action, vowing to block any attempt to enforce a Texas court judgment against a New York doctor who mailed abortion-inducing drugs to a Texas resident.

“Well, he’s at it again,” Governor Hochul said in the video posted on X, referring to Attorney General Paxton’s petition against Ulster County Acting Clerk Taylor Bruck.

“Attorney General of Texas, Ken Paxton, is trying again to file a judgement against one of our doctors for providing safe, legal abortion care,” she said. “Well, that’s just not going to happen in the state of New York. Not under my watch. My answer is still: Hell no.”

Attorney General Paxton’s lawsuit stems from a December 2024 case in which he sued Dr. Margaret Carpenter, accusing her of violating Texas law by sending abortion-inducing drugs to a Collin County resident.

A Texas court ordered Dr. Carpenter to pay a $100,000 penalty and imposed a permanent injunction. Attorney General Paxton now alleges that Bruck has obstructed enforcement of that judgment.

Governor Hochul, however, made clear that New York will protect medical providers operating under its laws.

“You picked a fight with the wrong state and the wrong governor,” she said. “I’ll never, ever back down from the fight to protect reproductive rights for women here and all across this country.”

In a pointed jab, Governor Hochul made reference to the attorney general’s recent divorce due to rumors of infidelity, suggesting, “Maybe Ken Paxton should worry more about his own personal life than the lives of others.”