Justice Department Accused of Selective Enforcement of FACE Act
A recent report from the Justice Department claims that the Biden administration’s application of a federal law intended to safeguard reproductive health clinics has been biased against Christian anti-abortion activists. This marks the first publication from the “Weaponization Working Group,” which was formed under the Trump administration to examine alleged misconduct by the Biden administration.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche is under pressure from President Trump to pursue Trump’s perceived political adversaries. The report was initiated by former Attorney General Pam Bondi, being one of her initial acts in her position last year.
The report criticizes the use of the FACE Act, or the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, by the Biden-era Justice Department. It alleges that the law was employed to unfairly prosecute conservatives and Christian protesters against abortion.
The FACE Act, established over three decades ago, is designed to prevent threats, violence, obstructions, or property damage that could interfere with reproductive health services, including abortion access. “This Department will not tolerate a two-tiered system of justice,” Blanche stated, emphasizing that selective prosecution based on beliefs should be avoided to maintain prosecutorial integrity.
The report details that federal prosecutors imposed more stringent charges and sentences on anti-abortion rights defendants compared to what it describes as “violent pro-abortion defendants.” It also asserts that evidence was knowingly withheld from defense teams. In response, the DOJ has taken “personnel action” against involved federal prosecutors, resulting in the dismissal of at least four individuals for allegedly misusing the FACE Act.
Despite the report’s claims, several organizations, including Democracy Forward, have disputed its findings. Skye Perryman, president and CEO of Democracy Forward, criticized the report for allegedly wasting taxpayer resources and for fabricating a narrative to divert attention from the administration’s shortcomings.
Stacey Young, executive director of Justice Connection, condemned the report and the firing of federal prosecutors, accusing DOJ leaders of hypocrisy and warning that career employees might face termination if future political leaders disagree with the policy objectives of their predecessors.
The Trump administration has labeled the enforcement of the FACE Act under Biden as a prime example of the weaponization of laws against conservatives. Recently, the administration announced it would limit enforcement of the FACE Act to extreme cases, such as those involving death or severe property damage, with President Trump issuing pardons to individuals he believes were unjustly targeted by the previous administration.
This article was originally written by www.npr.org
