The Daily Show unpacks the absurdity of Alabama's taxpayer-funded fetus defense lawyers

Peter Weber, The Week US's avatar
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(Image credit: The Daily Show)

Last year, Alabama passed a law giving fetuses the right to state-sponsored legal defense when a female under 18 wants to get an abortion. On Thursday night's Daily Show, Jessica Williams took a hard look at the law. In typical Daily Show fashion, Williams spoke with both sides of the issue — Julian McPhillips, a lawyer who acts as "guardian ad litem" for the fetus in abortion cases, and Susan Watson, the executive director of Alabama's ACLU chapter, which is suing Alabama to overturn the law.

Still, it's pretty clear what side The Daily Show comes down on. And the way Williams and her guests lay out the law and its consequences.... well, judge for yourself below. —Peter Weber

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Peter Weber, The Week US
Peter Weber, The Week US

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.