(Washington, D.C.): Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Weaponization Working Group released a report outlining the Department’s Biden-era targeting of pro-life advocates using the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act.
The DOJ’s report detailed how groups including Planned Parenthood, the National Abortion Federation and the Feminist Majority Foundation leveraged their relationships with the Biden Administration to “to gain internal information and push targets for enforcement.” The report also noted “significantly harsher” sentences for pro-life violations of the FACE Act when compared to sentences of abortion advocates facing similar charges.
President Trump previously pardoned pro-lifers targeted under the FACE Act by the Biden Administration. The DOJ continues to follow through on the President’s promise to de-weaponize the federal government under his Administration.
John Mize, CEO of Americans United for Life (AUL), stated, “We are grateful to Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon and the Trump DOJ’s continued commitment to equal protection under the law. Targeted enforcement of any law, including the FACE Act, is a misappropriation of justice to which we are glad to see the responsible parties held accountable. Americans United for Life is hopeful the DOJ will continue to right the injustices of abortion, and we ask the Department to turn its attention to the harm of mail-order abortion practices next.”
Steven H. Aden, Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel for AUL, added, “In practice, the FACE Act has restricted pro-life speech and hindered the life-saving efforts of sidewalk counselors. Weaponization of this law is an abuse of power that we are glad to see the Trump DOJ correct. No one should be restricted for engaging in peaceful efforts to prevent women and preborn children from being harmed by the abortion industry.”
For more information or to arrange an interview with AUL, contact Gavin Oxley at [email protected] or 202-987-3321.
Since 1971, Americans United for Life (AUL) has advanced the human right to life in culture, law, and policy by equipping advocates and lawmakers with the facts and strategies that change hearts and minds and protect human life. The first national pro-life organization in the country, AUL is a nonprofit, public-interest law and policy organization with a four-star rating from Charity Navigator.
