Staff Reports
Conservative lawmakers like Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) and Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) have been raising concerns about the Department of Justice (DOJ) under President Joe Biden, claiming that it has been politicized and weaponized against ordinary Americans. During a recent budget hearing for Fiscal Year 2025 held by the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-GA) also brought up the issue.
The subcommittee heard testimony from Attorney General Merrick Garland, and Clyde asked for more information about the prosecution data related to the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act. Clyde mentioned Roy’s repeated requests for this data, which he claims have been ignored by the DOJ. Garland promised to look into the issue and provide the requested data.
The DOJ has repeatedly stonewalled my friend @RepChipRoy’s requests for FACE Act data.
Joe Biden’s DOJ is desperate to hide the truth about its weaponization of this law against pro-life Americans.
Today, I pressed AG Garland to commit to finally providing this information. pic.twitter.com/ETM5Kamyjy
— Rep. Andrew Clyde (@Rep_Clyde) April 16, 2024
Conservatives have criticized the DOJ for using the FACE Act to prosecute peaceful pro-life activists outside abortion facilities. They argue that individuals, including elderly people in their 60s and 70s, have been found guilty and faced significant fines and prison time under this law. The DOJ has obtained guilty verdicts against pro-life activists multiple times this year, as well as in 2022. Additionally, the DOJ brought FACE Act charges against Mark Houck in 2022, which were dismissed by local prosecutors, and he was later found not guilty.
Following the Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, there was a surge of violent attacks against pro-life organizations. A study released in 2022 showed that pro-life organizations were significantly more likely to face violence compared to pro-abortion ones. Despite this, the Biden DOJ has focused on prosecuting pro-life individuals under the FACE Act.
Moreover, some lawmakers criticized Garland for the DOJ’s focus on going after peaceful pro-lifers amid other pressing issues. Rep. Mike Garcia (R-CA) raised concerns about “death to America” chants in Dearborn and Chicago, citing FBI Director Christopher Wray’s warning about national security risks and the open border under the Biden administration. He criticized Garland for not addressing these issues and gave him a failing grade for his handling of the DOJ.
Overall, conservative lawmakers have expressed deep concerns about the Biden DOJ’s prioritization and handling of cases involving pro-life activists and its failure to address broader national security threats.
