Some observers believe that the timing of all this is also strategic. Abortion activist Jessica Valenti (who used to write this newsletter and now writes Abortion, Every Day) has noted that Rojas was arrested weeks ago. Why did Paxton wait until now to send out a press release? Valenti reckons he is trying to distract from the fact that Texas Republicans are trying to push through SB 2880, which she characterizes as the biggest piece of anti-abortion legislation since Roe was overturned. This bill targets Texans’ access to abortion pills and makes it easier to sue people and companies involved in a person’s medication abortion. The bill also protects “any person who impregnated the woman who used abortion-inducing drugs through conduct constituting sexual assault” from being sued.

JFC. You can get away with rape if the woman you rape attempts an abortion. It’s on brand, but, as with so many things these days, horrific.