California Gov. Newsom says he's blocking Louisiana's push to extradite doctor accused of mailing abortion pills

California Governor Gavin Newsom declared on Wednesday that he would reject Louisiana's extradition demand for Dr. Remy Coeytaux, a California doctor accused of mailing abortion medication. The Democratic governor's announcement followed by one day the confirmation from Louisiana's Republican Governor, Jeff Landry, that he had sent the formal paperwork to bring the doctor to trial.

The incident throws into sharp relief the conflicting legal environments of the two states. Louisiana, home to some of the most restrictive anti-abortion laws in the United States, is charging Coeytaux with the criminal act of supplying abortion-inducing medication. According to Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill, a conviction on this charge could lead to a prison term of up to 50 years.

By contrast, California law shields medical professionals from prosecution for treating patients who reside out of state. Governor Newsom stated that extraditing Dr. Coeytaux would contravene a 2022 executive order he issued, which bars state agencies from aiding other states in their efforts to prosecute abortion providers. "We will not permit extremist politicians from other states to impose their laws in California and punish doctors for providing reproductive health care services," Newsom declared in a formal statement.

Dr. Coeytaux, a physician practicing in the San Francisco Bay Area, did not return email or phone messages. Governor Landry's office has not yet released a comment on Governor Newsom's declaration.