Louisiana can enforce near-total abortion ban, judge rules

Louisiana can now enforce its ban on almost all abortions under a judge's order issued Friday amid a flurry of court challenges to state "trigger" laws crafted to take effect when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.

The decision came the same day President Joe Biden issued an executive order to protect access to abortion in states where it is still legal and mitigate the potential penalties women seeking the procedure may face after the high court's ruling on June 24.

Days after the Supreme Court decision, Louisiana District Judge Robin Giarrusso issued a temporary restraining order banning enforcement of the state legislation in response to a lawsuit filed by a north Louisiana abortion clinic and others.