Idaho sued by US over "near-total" abortion ban

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The U.S. Justice Department filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the state of Idaho over its restrictive abortion law, with Attorney General Merrick Garland arguing it conflicts with federal law requiring doctors to provide pregnant women medically necessary treatment that could include abortion.

It is the first major action brought by the Justice Department challenging a so-called "trigger law" that was set up to take effect once the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade case.

The suit was brought because federal prosecutors believe the Idaho law would force doctors to violate the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, which requires anyone coming to a medical facility for emergency treatment to be stabilized and treated. Idaho's law criminalizes all abortions, subjecting anyone who performs or attempts to perform them to a felony punishable by between two to five years.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre also spoke Tuesday about the lawsuit.

"Idaho's law and its treatment of women are devastating; it's extreme and threatens lives," she said.