Opinion Today: What the abortion pill ruling could mean for Americans

Opinion writers explain the imminent — and future — problems with the decision. [View in browser](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRmGSV0P4QoAWh0dHBzOi8vbWVzc2FnaW5nLWN1c3RvbS1uZXdzbGV0dGVycy5ueXRpbWVzLmNvbS90ZW1wbGF0ZS9vYWt2Mj9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD0zOSZlbWM9ZWRpdF90eV8yMDIzMDQxMiZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD05MDAwNyZubD1vcGluaW9uLXRvZGF5JnByb2R1Y3RDb2RlPVRZJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xMzAyMDgmdGU9MSZ1cmk9bnl0JTNBJTJGJTJGbmV3c2xldHRlciUyRjBhNmMzY2E2LWI1MTMtNTRjMS04MTNjLWQ5OTYyMjdlZWZhYiZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmQhdKA2ZNkoKMhSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~)|[nytimes.com](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRmGSV0P0SwaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTM5JmVtYz1lZGl0X3R5XzIwMjMwNDEyJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTkwMDA3Jm5sPW9waW5pb24tdG9kYXkmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTEzMDIwOCZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZCF0oDZk2SgoyFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA)[Continue reading the main story](#a11y-skip-ad-marquee) [Marquee Ad](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRmGSV0P0SYaHR0cHM6Ly9saXZlaW50ZW50Lm5ld3lvcmt0aW1lc2luZm8uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9MTYyMTM5JmxpPVRZJm09YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDcmcD1UWV8yMDIzMDQxMiZ0ZT0xJm5sPW9waW5pb24tdG9kYXkmZW1jPWVkaXRfdHlfMjAyMzA0MTJXA255dEIKZCF0oDZk2SgoyFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) [Read more from Opinion](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRmGSV0P0S_aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vc2VjdGlvbi9vcGluaW9uP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTM5JmVtYz1lZGl0X3R5XzIwMjMwNDEyJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTkwMDA3Jm5sPW9waW5pb24tdG9kYXkmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTEzMDIwOCZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZCF0oDZk2SgoyFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) April 12, 2023 [Author Headshot](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRmGSV0P0TAaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vYnkvbGF1cmVuLWtlbGxleT9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD0zOSZlbWM9ZWRpdF90eV8yMDIzMDQxMiZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD05MDAwNyZubD1vcGluaW9uLXRvZGF5JnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xMzAyMDgmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmQhdKA2ZNkoKMhSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) By [Lauren Kelley](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRmGSV0P0TAaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vYnkvbGF1cmVuLWtlbGxleT9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD0zOSZlbWM9ZWRpdF90eV8yMDIzMDQxMiZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD05MDAwNyZubD1vcGluaW9uLXRvZGF5JnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xMzAyMDgmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmQhdKA2ZNkoKMhSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) Senior Staff Editor It’s reasonable to wonder whether Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk was less than eager for the public to read about the [ruling he issued on Friday evening](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRmGSV0P0TiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8wNC8wNy9oZWFsdGgvYWJvcnRpb24tcGlsbHMtcnVsaW5nLXRleGFzLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9MzkmZW1jPWVkaXRfdHlfMjAyMzA0MTImaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9OTAwMDcmbmw9b3Bpbmlvbi10b2RheSZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTMwMjA4JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgpkIXSgNmTZKCjIUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~), invalidating the Food and Drug Administration’s 23-year-old approval of mifepristone, one of two drugs typically used in a medication abortion in the United States. Last month, in an atypical move, the federal judge scheduled a critical hearing in the case without announcing it at first. (Details emerged after The Washington Post [reported](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRmGSV0P0T6aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cud2FzaGluZ3RvbnBvc3QuY29tL25hdGlvbmFsLXNlY3VyaXR5LzIwMjMvMDMvMTEvdGV4YXMtYWJvcnRpb24tcGlsbC1oZWFyaW5nLWthY3NtYXJ5ay8_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9MzkmZW1jPWVkaXRfdHlfMjAyMzA0MTImaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9OTAwMDcmbmw9b3Bpbmlvbi10b2RheSZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTMwMjA4JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgpkIXSgNmTZKCjIUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) on a conference call during which the hearing was arranged. According to The Post, the judge wanted to minimize disruptions and threats around the case.) Then Kacsmaryk waited weeks to issue his ruling, finally doing so at the tail end of one of the noisier news weeks in recent memory — one that included, among other things, the arraignment of a former president. Why might the judge, a Donald Trump appointee, have taken these steps? As my colleague Michelle Goldberg, a Times Opinion columnist, has noted, anti-abortion Republicans face an “[electoral predicament](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRmGSV0P0T3aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8wNC8wNy9vcGluaW9uL2Fib3J0aW9uLXJpZ2h0cy13aXNjb25zaW4tZWxlY3Rpb25zLXJlcHVibGljYW5zLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9MzkmZW1jPWVkaXRfdHlfMjAyMzA0MTImaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9OTAwMDcmbmw9b3Bpbmlvbi10b2RheSZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTMwMjA4JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgpkIXSgNmTZKCjIUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~)” in the wake of Roe v. Wade’s demise: For decades, they’ve been running on ending abortion, but anti-abortion measures are proving unpopular with voters. In response to Kacsmaryk’s Friday ruling, Goldberg [wrote](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRmGSV0P0TkaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8wNC8wOC9vcGluaW9uL2NvbXN0b2NrLWxhd3MtYWJvcnRpb24tdGV4YXMuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD0zOSZlbWM9ZWRpdF90eV8yMDIzMDQxMiZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD05MDAwNyZubD1vcGluaW9uLXRvZGF5JnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xMzAyMDgmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmQhdKA2ZNkoKMhSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) that “just a year ago,” predicting the legal underpinning of the judge’s ruling “would have seemed hysterical.” But here we are. Kate Shaw, a law professor and a Times Opinion contributing writer, [explained](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRmGSV0P0TjaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8wNC8wOS9vcGluaW9uL2Fib3J0aW9uLXBpbGwtY2FzZS1kZWNpc2lvbi5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTM5JmVtYz1lZGl0X3R5XzIwMjMwNDEyJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTkwMDA3Jm5sPW9waW5pb24tdG9kYXkmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTEzMDIwOCZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZCF0oDZk2SgoyFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) in a guest essay how both the ruling and the circumstances of the case are highly unusual. “Much of the opinion is tonally shocking and medically unsound,” she wrote, arguing that the Biden administration has an obligation to intervene in any way it can. (The Justice Department already [has appealed](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRmGSV0P0TnaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cud2FzaGluZ3RvbnBvc3QuY29tL3BvbGl0aWNzLzIwMjMvMDQvMTAvYWJvcnRpb24tcGlsbC1ydWxpbmctYXBwZWFsLz9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD0zOSZlbWM9ZWRpdF90eV8yMDIzMDQxMiZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD05MDAwNyZubD1vcGluaW9uLXRvZGF5JnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xMzAyMDgmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmQhdKA2ZNkoKMhSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~).) [Continue reading the main story](#a11y-skip-universal-0) ADVERTISEMENT [Ad](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRmGSV0P0SXaHR0cHM6Ly9saXZlaW50ZW50Lm5ld3lvcmt0aW1lc2luZm8uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9NTk3ODUmbGk9VFkmbT1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkNyZwPVRZXzIwMjMwNDEyJnRlPTEmbmw9b3Bpbmlvbi10b2RheSZlbWM9ZWRpdF90eV8yMDIzMDQxMlcDbnl0QgpkIXSgNmTZKCjIUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) Joshua Sharfstein, who was the F.D.A.’s principal deputy commissioner from 2009 to 2011, [wrote](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRmGSV0P0TYaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8wNC8xMC9vcGluaW9uL2ZkYS1taWZlcHJpc3RvbmUuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD0zOSZlbWM9ZWRpdF90eV8yMDIzMDQxMiZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD05MDAwNyZubD1vcGluaW9uLXRvZGF5JnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xMzAyMDgmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmQhdKA2ZNkoKMhSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) in another guest essay that the ruling “poses new risks to the F.D.A.’s integrity”: “Trust in the agency’s work rests on the idea that decisions that affect a nation are based on facts, not ideology or influence,” he wrote. As for what comes next: With Kacsmaryk’s ruling at odds with a separate ruling issued in Washington State on Friday, the matter seems [destined for the Supreme Court](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRmGSV0P0TnaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8wNC8wOC91cy9wb2xpdGljcy9hYm9ydGlvbi1waWxsLXN1cHJlbWUtY291cnQuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD0zOSZlbWM9ZWRpdF90eV8yMDIzMDQxMiZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD05MDAwNyZubD1vcGluaW9uLXRvZGF5JnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xMzAyMDgmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmQhdKA2ZNkoKMhSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~). In the meantime, doctors and abortion rights advocates [are preparing for what to do](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRmGSV0P0TjaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8wMy8wNS9vcGluaW9uL2Fib3J0aW9uLXBpbGxzLXJ1bGluZy10ZXhhcy5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTM5JmVtYz1lZGl0X3R5XzIwMjMwNDEyJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTkwMDA3Jm5sPW9waW5pb24tdG9kYXkmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTEzMDIwOCZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZCF0oDZk2SgoyFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) if mifepristone becomes unavailable nationwide, as is possible because of Kacsmaryk’s decision — a move that would have, as Shaw explained, “extremely damaging consequences” for women. [[Article Image] David McNew/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRmGSV0P0T3aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8wNC8wNy9vcGluaW9uL2Fib3J0aW9uLXJpZ2h0cy13aXNjb25zaW4tZWxlY3Rpb25zLXJlcHVibGljYW5zLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9MzkmZW1jPWVkaXRfdHlfMjAyMzA0MTImaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9OTAwMDcmbmw9b3Bpbmlvbi10b2RheSZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTMwMjA4JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgpkIXSgNmTZKCjIUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) [MICHELLE GOLDBERG The Abortion Ban Backlash Is Starting to Freak Out Republicans But their voters won’t let them pivot to moderation. By Michelle Goldberg](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRmGSV0P0T3aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8wNC8wNy9vcGluaW9uL2Fib3J0aW9uLXJpZ2h0cy13aXNjb25zaW4tZWxlY3Rpb25zLXJlcHVibGljYW5zLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9MzkmZW1jPWVkaXRfdHlfMjAyMzA0MTImaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9OTAwMDcmbmw9b3Bpbmlvbi10b2RheSZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTMwMjA4JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgpkIXSgNmTZKCjIUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) [[Article Image] Bettmann Archive/Getty Images](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRmGSV0P0TkaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8wNC8wOC9vcGluaW9uL2NvbXN0b2NrLWxhd3MtYWJvcnRpb24tdGV4YXMuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD0zOSZlbWM9ZWRpdF90eV8yMDIzMDQxMiZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD05MDAwNyZubD1vcGluaW9uLXRvZGF5JnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xMzAyMDgmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmQhdKA2ZNkoKMhSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) [MICHELLE GOLDBERG The Hideous Resurrection of the Comstock Act How the right is using a 150-year-old law to try to ban abortion pills. By Michelle Goldberg](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRmGSV0P0TkaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8wNC8wOC9vcGluaW9uL2NvbXN0b2NrLWxhd3MtYWJvcnRpb24tdGV4YXMuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD0zOSZlbWM9ZWRpdF90eV8yMDIzMDQxMiZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD05MDAwNyZubD1vcGluaW9uLXRvZGF5JnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xMzAyMDgmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmQhdKA2ZNkoKMhSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) [[Article Image] Justin Rex/Associated Press](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRmGSV0P0TjaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8wNC8wOS9vcGluaW9uL2Fib3J0aW9uLXBpbGwtY2FzZS1kZWNpc2lvbi5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTM5JmVtYz1lZGl0X3R5XzIwMjMwNDEyJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTkwMDA3Jm5sPW9waW5pb24tdG9kYXkmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTEzMDIwOCZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZCF0oDZk2SgoyFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) [GUEST ESSAY The Abortion Pill Ruling Is Bad Law, and the Biden Administration Should Fight It The opinion from a federal judge in Texas is a legal travesty. By Kate Shaw](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRmGSV0P0TjaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8wNC8wOS9vcGluaW9uL2Fib3J0aW9uLXBpbGwtY2FzZS1kZWNpc2lvbi5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTM5JmVtYz1lZGl0X3R5XzIwMjMwNDEyJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTkwMDA3Jm5sPW9waW5pb24tdG9kYXkmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTEzMDIwOCZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZCF0oDZk2SgoyFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) [[Article Image] David Erickson/Associated Press](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRmGSV0P0TYaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8wNC8xMC9vcGluaW9uL2ZkYS1taWZlcHJpc3RvbmUuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD0zOSZlbWM9ZWRpdF90eV8yMDIzMDQxMiZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD05MDAwNyZubD1vcGluaW9uLXRvZGF5JnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xMzAyMDgmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmQhdKA2ZNkoKMhSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) [GUEST ESSAY I Worked at the F.D.A. The Abortion Pill Decision Is Dangerous. The F.D.A. must be able to make decisions based on evidence. By Joshua M. Sharfstein](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRmGSV0P0TYaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8wNC8xMC9vcGluaW9uL2ZkYS1taWZlcHJpc3RvbmUuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD0zOSZlbWM9ZWRpdF90eV8yMDIzMDQxMiZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD05MDAwNyZubD1vcGluaW9uLXRvZGF5JnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xMzAyMDgmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmQhdKA2ZNkoKMhSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) [Continue reading the main story](#a11y-skip-universal-1) ADVERTISEMENT [Ad](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRmGSV0P0SYaHR0cHM6Ly9saXZlaW50ZW50Lm5ld3lvcmt0aW1lc2luZm8uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9MjAxODEyJmxpPVRZJm09YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDcmcD1UWV8yMDIzMDQxMiZ0ZT0xJm5sPW9waW5pb24tdG9kYXkmZW1jPWVkaXRfdHlfMjAyMzA0MTJXA255dEIKZCF0oDZk2SgoyFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) Here’s what we’re focusing on today: Editors’ Picks [GUEST ESSAY The Tennessee State House Is Where We Belong My colleagues and I will continue to fight with and for our people, whether in or out of office. By Justin J. Pearson](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRmGSV0P0TgaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8wNC8xMi9vcGluaW9uL2p1c3Rpbi1wZWFyc29uLXRlbm5lc3NlZS5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTM5JmVtYz1lZGl0X3R5XzIwMjMwNDEyJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTkwMDA3Jm5sPW9waW5pb24tdG9kYXkmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTEzMDIwOCZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZCF0oDZk2SgoyFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) [Article Image](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRmGSV0P0TgaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8wNC8xMi9vcGluaW9uL2p1c3Rpbi1wZWFyc29uLXRlbm5lc3NlZS5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTM5JmVtYz1lZGl0X3R5XzIwMjMwNDEyJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTkwMDA3Jm5sPW9waW5pb24tdG9kYXkmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTEzMDIwOCZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZCF0oDZk2SgoyFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) [CHARLES M. BLOW Tennessee Republicans Exposed Their Authoritarian Streak Their lust for vengeance and opprobrium not only failed — it backfired. By Charles M. Blow](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRmGSV0P0TsaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8wNC8xMS9vcGluaW9uL3Rlbm5lc3NlZS1qdXN0aW4tZGVtb2NyYXRzLWV4cHVsc2lvbi5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTM5JmVtYz1lZGl0X3R5XzIwMjMwNDEyJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTkwMDA3Jm5sPW9waW5pb24tdG9kYXkmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTEzMDIwOCZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZCF0oDZk2SgoyFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) [Article Image](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRmGSV0P0TsaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8wNC8xMS9vcGluaW9uL3Rlbm5lc3NlZS1qdXN0aW4tZGVtb2NyYXRzLWV4cHVsc2lvbi5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTM5JmVtYz1lZGl0X3R5XzIwMjMwNDEyJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTkwMDA3Jm5sPW9waW5pb24tdG9kYXkmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTEzMDIwOCZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZCF0oDZk2SgoyFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) [THE EDITORIAL BOARD An Undemocratic Power Play in Tennessee State lawmakers usurped a right that belongs to voters. By The Editorial Board](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRmGSV0P0TnaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8wNC8xMS9vcGluaW9uL3Rlbm5lc3NlZS1qdXN0aW4taG91c2UtZXhwdWxzb24uaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD0zOSZlbWM9ZWRpdF90eV8yMDIzMDQxMiZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD05MDAwNyZubD1vcGluaW9uLXRvZGF5JnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xMzAyMDgmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmQhdKA2ZNkoKMhSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) [Article Image](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRmGSV0P0TnaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8wNC8xMS9vcGluaW9uL3Rlbm5lc3NlZS1qdXN0aW4taG91c2UtZXhwdWxzb24uaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD0zOSZlbWM9ZWRpdF90eV8yMDIzMDQxMiZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD05MDAwNyZubD1vcGluaW9uLXRvZGF5JnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xMzAyMDgmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmQhdKA2ZNkoKMhSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) More From Opinion [GUEST ESSAY ‘They Are America’s G.O.P. Leninists’ How the right came to embrace intrusive government. By Thomas B. Edsall](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRmGSV0P0TtaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8wNC8xMi9vcGluaW9uL3JlcHVibGljYW4tcGFydHktaW50cnVzaXZlLWdvdmVybm1lbnQuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD0zOSZlbWM9ZWRpdF90eV8yMDIzMDQxMiZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD05MDAwNyZubD1vcGluaW9uLXRvZGF5JnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xMzAyMDgmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmQhdKA2ZNkoKMhSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) [Article Image](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRmGSV0P0TtaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8wNC8xMi9vcGluaW9uL3JlcHVibGljYW4tcGFydHktaW50cnVzaXZlLWdvdmVybm1lbnQuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD0zOSZlbWM9ZWRpdF90eV8yMDIzMDQxMiZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD05MDAwNyZubD1vcGluaW9uLXRvZGF5JnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xMzAyMDgmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmQhdKA2ZNkoKMhSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) [ROSS DOUTHAT How Biden’s Foreign Policy Could Isolate America The limits of championing liberal democracy in a multipolar world. By Ross Douthat](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRmGSV0P0TpaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8wNC8xMi9vcGluaW9uL2JpZGVuLWZvcmVpZ24tcG9saWN5LWNoaW5hLXJ1c3NpYS5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTM5JmVtYz1lZGl0X3R5XzIwMjMwNDEyJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTkwMDA3Jm5sPW9waW5pb24tdG9kYXkmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTEzMDIwOCZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZCF0oDZk2SgoyFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) [Article Image](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRmGSV0P0TpaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8wNC8xMi9vcGluaW9uL2JpZGVuLWZvcmVpZ24tcG9saWN5LWNoaW5hLXJ1c3NpYS5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTM5JmVtYz1lZGl0X3R5XzIwMjMwNDEyJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTkwMDA3Jm5sPW9waW5pb24tdG9kYXkmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTEzMDIwOCZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZCF0oDZk2SgoyFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) [BRET STEPHENS Liberals Have a Blind Spot on Defense If you want to fight for freedom, you have to pay for it. By Bret Stephens](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRmGSV0P0ThaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8wNC8xMS9vcGluaW9uL21pbGl0YXJ5LWJ1ZGdldC1kZW1vY3JhdHMuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD0zOSZlbWM9ZWRpdF90eV8yMDIzMDQxMiZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD05MDAwNyZubD1vcGluaW9uLXRvZGF5JnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xMzAyMDgmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmQhdKA2ZNkoKMhSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) [Article Image](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRmGSV0P0ThaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8wNC8xMS9vcGluaW9uL21pbGl0YXJ5LWJ1ZGdldC1kZW1vY3JhdHMuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD0zOSZlbWM9ZWRpdF90eV8yMDIzMDQxMiZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD05MDAwNyZubD1vcGluaW9uLXRvZGF5JnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xMzAyMDgmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmQhdKA2ZNkoKMhSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) [FARAH STOCKMAN The World Admires Singapore’s Benevolent Autocracy. Should It? Singapore’s political leadership is at a crossroads. It has lessons for the West. By Farah Stockman](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRmGSV0P0T5aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8wNC8xMi9vcGluaW9uL2ludGVybmF0aW9uYWwtd29ybGQvc2luZ2Fwb3JlLWF1dG9jcmFjeS1kZW1vY3JhY3kuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD0zOSZlbWM9ZWRpdF90eV8yMDIzMDQxMiZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD05MDAwNyZubD1vcGluaW9uLXRvZGF5JnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xMzAyMDgmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmQhdKA2ZNkoKMhSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) [Article Image](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRmGSV0P0T5aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8wNC8xMi9vcGluaW9uL2ludGVybmF0aW9uYWwtd29ybGQvc2luZ2Fwb3JlLWF1dG9jcmFjeS1kZW1vY3JhY3kuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD0zOSZlbWM9ZWRpdF90eV8yMDIzMDQxMiZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD05MDAwNyZubD1vcGluaW9uLXRvZGF5JnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xMzAyMDgmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmQhdKA2ZNkoKMhSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) [GUEST ESSAY Lyndon Johnson Was No Friend of Martin Luther King Jr. The president was more of an antagonist to King and conspirator with J. Edgar Hoover than he has been portrayed. By Jonathan Eig and Jeanne Theoharis](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRmGSV0P0TsaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8wNC8xMi9vcGluaW9uL2x5bmRvbi1qb2huc29uLW1hcnRpbi1sdXRoZXIta2luZy1qci5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTM5JmVtYz1lZGl0X3R5XzIwMjMwNDEyJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTkwMDA3Jm5sPW9waW5pb24tdG9kYXkmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTEzMDIwOCZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZCF0oDZk2SgoyFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) [Article Image](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRmGSV0P0TsaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8wNC8xMi9vcGluaW9uL2x5bmRvbi1qb2huc29uLW1hcnRpbi1sdXRoZXIta2luZy1qci5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTM5JmVtYz1lZGl0X3R5XzIwMjMwNDEyJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTkwMDA3Jm5sPW9waW5pb24tdG9kYXkmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTEzMDIwOCZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZCF0oDZk2SgoyFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) [GUEST ESSAY How Do You Get People Into Addiction Treatment if They Don’t Want It? A father calls for more options. By David Sheff](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRmGSV0P0TbaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8wNC8xMi9vcGluaW9uL2FkZGljdGlvbi10cmVhdG1lbnQuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD0zOSZlbWM9ZWRpdF90eV8yMDIzMDQxMiZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD05MDAwNyZubD1vcGluaW9uLXRvZGF5JnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xMzAyMDgmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmQhdKA2ZNkoKMhSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) [Article Image](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRmGSV0P0TbaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8wNC8xMi9vcGluaW9uL2FkZGljdGlvbi10cmVhdG1lbnQuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD0zOSZlbWM9ZWRpdF90eV8yMDIzMDQxMiZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD05MDAwNyZubD1vcGluaW9uLXRvZGF5JnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xMzAyMDgmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmQhdKA2ZNkoKMhSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) [Continue reading the main story](#a11y-skip-universal-2) ADVERTISEMENT [Ad](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRmGSV0P0SYaHR0cHM6Ly9saXZlaW50ZW50Lm5ld3lvcmt0aW1lc2luZm8uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9NzI2NTM3JmxpPVRZJm09YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDcmcD1UWV8yMDIzMDQxMiZ0ZT0xJm5sPW9waW5pb24tdG9kYXkmZW1jPWVkaXRfdHlfMjAyMzA0MTJXA255dEIKZCF0oDZk2SgoyFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) [JOHN MCWHORTER Some People’s ‘Funny’ Is Other People’s ‘Offensive’ A taxonomy of the layers of humor. 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