The U.S. Justice Department released a report on Tuesday alleging that the Biden administration selectively enforced the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act against anti-abortion activists. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche stated the department will not tolerate a two-tiered justice system. The findings have drawn criticism from advocacy groups.
The Justice Department's Weaponization Working Group, created by former Attorney General Pam Bondi, published its first report after reviewing over 700,000 records. The 800-page document claims Biden-era prosecutors pursued harsher charges and sentences for pro-life defendants—averaging 26.8 months requested and 14 months imposed—compared to 12.3 months requested and three months for pro-abortion defendants. It accuses officials of coordinating closely with groups like the National Abortion Federation, sharing information and providing grant references without ethics approval, such as DOJ attorney Sanjay Patel offering himself as a reference in 2020 and 2023 emails. Prosecutors allegedly withheld evidence and screened jurors based on religious views in cases like United States v. Zastrow and United States v. Gallagher, while ignoring attacks on pregnancy centers until late 2022. Specific examples include the FBI raid on Mark Houck's home with 16 agents despite a self-surrender option; Houck was later acquitted and the DOJ settled a civil claim. At least four prosecutors, including Patel fired on Monday, faced personnel actions. The Trump administration has issued pardons to targeted pro-lifers, dismissed three civil suits, and limited future FACE Act enforcement to extraordinary cases. Critics dispute the report. Skye Perryman of Democracy Forward called it a waste of taxpayer dollars based on cherry-picked emails. Stacey Young of Justice Connection labeled the firings as hypocrisy, noting memos requiring zealous advocacy for presidential priorities.
