Ron DeSantis vows to appeal abortion ban ruling to state supreme court: will 'withstand all legal challenges'

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday announced his intention to appeal a court ruling that would block abortions after 15 weeks. 

The Florida legislature passed the law, known has House Bill 5, and DeSantis signed it in April. The law bans most abortions after the 15th week of pregnancy unless the health of the mother is threatened or unless the baby has a "fatal fetal abnormality," according to the Washington Post. 

Leon County Circuit Judge John Cooper announced that he would issue a temporary injunction against the state abortion ban, calling it "unconstitutional." The judge did not draw on last week’s Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade, but instead referenced from the state constitution’s language regarding privacy. 

"I’m not here to litigate abortion," Cooper said. "I’m here to litigate the right to privacy in Florida. I’m not here to litigate Roe v. Wade."