DOJ Report Cites Biased FACE Act Enforcement, Fires 4 Prosecutors

The U.S. Department of Justice released an 882-page report on Tuesday accusing the prior administration of biased enforcement of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, a 1994 federal law prohibiting threats, force or obstruction at reproductive health facilities, pregnancy resource centers and houses of worship. In response, the department fired four prosecutors involved in such cases, signaling a shift in how the law will be applied moving forward.

The report, produced by the Justice Department's Weaponization Working Group, examined over 700,000 internal records from prosecutions through early 2025. It concluded that officials under former President Joe Biden selectively targeted anti-abortion activists, while downplaying or ignoring complaints involving attacks on pregnancy centers and religious institutions. For instance, the department brought no FACE Act cases related to houses of worship despite reported threats, according to the findings. Prosecutors sought average sentences of 26.8 months for anti-abortion defendants, compared to 12.3 months for those charged with violence against pro-life facilities.

Among the examples cited was the 2022 case against Mark...