Veterans group sues Trump administration over VA abortion ban

A veterans group has sued the Trump administration over the revocation of a Biden-era policy that allowed Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals to commit taxpayer-funded abortions.

Key Takeaways:

• Minority Veterans of America has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for revoking a Biden-era rule that allowed the VA to commit abortions at the expense of taxpayers.

• The rule was implemented in 2022 and revoked in December 2025.

• The lawsuit claims the Department of Veterans Affairs violated the Administrative Procedures Act by revoking the rule.

The Details:

Minority Veterans of America filed its lawsuit in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit on May 14. The suit claims the VA violated the Administrative Procedures Act when it revoked a Biden-administration rule change that allowed the VA to offer abortions to pregnant veterans and their beneficiaries.

The complaint maintains the “VA failed to provide any explanation — let alone a reasoned explanation — for disregarding its previous factual findings addressing veterans’ need for abortion care, and … failed to address significant comments.” 

"The decision by the VA to eliminate abortion care and abortion counseling from the health care provided to veterans and their families is a betrayal..." the lawsuit reads. "This essential medical care is particularly important for veterans and their families, yet VA has imposed a ban on abortion services that is the strictest in the entire federal government."

The suit cites one pregnant veteran who says her unexpected pregnancy is “already exacerbating existing health conditions," and claims the abortion ban is threatening her health.

“VA’s ban on abortion care and counseling is a direct threat to my health and my ability to parent my existing children and a betrayal of the sacrifices I have made for my country,” the service member said, according to The Hill.

The Backstory:

After the overturn of Roe v. Wade in June 2022, the Biden administration told the VA that its doctors could commit abortions, despite federal law prohibiting taxpayer dollars from funding the deadly procedures. That led to a VA rule change, authorizing VA doctors to commit abortions under Chapter 17 of Title 38 of the U.S. Code. Prior to that 2022 rule change, the VA did not commit abortions.

In December 2025, the Department of Justice reversed the Biden-era decision. At that time, a memorandum written by Deputy Assistant Attorney General Josh Craddock said that federal law “unambiguously commands that VA may not provide abortions when furnishing medical care under 38 U.S.C. § 1710 or any other provision in chapter 17 of Title 38."

The Bottom Line:

True health care means treating both the pregnant mother and her preborn child. There is never a medical reason why that child should be directly and intentionally killed in the womb, nor should taxpayers be required to foot the bill.