Inslee orders WSP to not help out-of-state abortion investigations
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has issued a directive that prohibits state troopers from cooperating with out-of-state abortion investigations. This comes in response to last week's Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v Wade.
"We will use every resource under the law to defend the rights to choice, to defend privacy rights, to defend the safety of citizens, including those that come from other states," Inslee said.
Under the governor's directive, the Washington State Patrol is barred from assisting outside agencies from investigating people who come to Washington for an abortion. WSP also cannot help investigate those who provide abortion services to people from states where it is outlawed. That could mean the patrol refuses to cooperate with an out-of-state subpoena, search warrant or court order.
In his strongly worded directive, Inslee warns the state patrol to be watchful for requests for information from other states that may hide the fact they’re investigating someone who came to Washington for an abortion.
The order also requires the patrol to work with the state Attorney General’s Office to scrutinize all requests for cooperation from states where abortion is banned or restricted.
