Trump Just DRAMATICALLY Changes Rules Relating to Abortion Protests

President Donald Trump’s administration takes a bold stance on the Free Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, effectively halting standard prosecutions and pardoning pro-life activists.

At a Glance

  • Trump administration orders cessation of federal prosecutions under FACE Act
  • Future FACE Act prosecutions limited to extraordinary circumstances
  • President Trump pardons 23 pro-life activists convicted under FACE Act
  • Move marks significant shift from previous administration’s approach
  • Critics argue FACE Act was weaponized against pro-life protesters

Trump Administration Halts FACE Act Prosecutions

In a significant policy shift, the Department of Justice under President Donald Trump’s administration has ordered the cessation of federal prosecutions under the Free Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act. This decision marks a dramatic change from the previous administration’s approach, which aggressively pursued cases against pro-life activists under the act.

According to the new policy, future FACE Act prosecutions will only be permitted in extraordinary circumstances or cases with significant aggravating factors. The Department of Justice memo states, “Future abortion-related FACE Act prosecutions and civil actions will be permitted only in extraordinary circumstances, or in cases presenting significant aggravating factors, such as death, serious bodily harm, or serious property damage.”

In conjunction with this policy shift, President Trump has taken the extraordinary step of pardoning 23 pro-life activists who were convicted of federal crimes for blocking entrances to abortion clinics. These pardons were for actions taken before the overturning of Roe v. Wade and involved individuals who participated in what has been described as peaceful civil disobedience.

“They should not have been prosecuted. Many of them are elderly people. This is a great honor to sign this,” President Donald Trump said.

The Thomas More Society, a pro-life non-profit law firm, identified 21 of the pardoned individuals as their clients. The protests took place in various locations across the country, including Nashville, Washington, Detroit, Long Island, and Manhattan.

Controversy Surrounding FACE Act Enforcement

The FACE Act, which criminalizes the use or threat of force to intimidate individuals seeking or providing reproductive health services, has been a source of controversy. Critics argue that it has been used as a tool for criminalizing peaceful protest and intimidating pro-life activists.

“This is not the even-handed administration of justice,” states the memo from Trump’s Department of Justice, highlighting concerns about the act’s implementation.

Under the Biden administration, approximately 60 individuals were charged with FACE Act violations, with only five cases against pro-abortion groups. This disparity has led to calls for the act’s repeal or amendment by Congress.

The decision to halt FACE Act prosecutions and pardon pro-life activists has been met with mixed reactions. Supporters of the move see it as a necessary step to protect freedom of speech and assembly, while critics argue it could lead to increased harassment at reproductive health clinics.

“The heroic peaceful pro-lifers unjustly imprisoned by Biden’s Justice Department will now be freed and able to return home to their families, eat a family meal and enjoy the freedom that should have never been taken from them in the first place,” Thomas More Senior Counsel Steve Crampton said.

As the debate continues, the Trump administration’s actions represent a significant shift in federal policy regarding abortion-related protests and the enforcement of the FACE Act. This change is likely to have far-reaching implications for both pro-life activists and reproductive health providers across the United States.