FACE Act

The Latest

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Trump task force on anti-Christian bias will review policies of FBI, DOJ, other agencies

Feb 7, 2025

By Tyler Arnold

The Task Force to Eradicate Anti-Christian Bias will review policies in federal departments and agencies, including the Federal Bureau of... Read more

An FBI agent stands outside the Houck residence in Kintnersville, Pennsylvania, on Sept. 23, 2022. Mark Houck was arrested that day and charged with assaulting a Planned Parenthood escort outside an Philadelphia abortion clinic on Oct. 13, 2021.

Trump Department of Justice says it will end ‘weaponization’ of FACE Act against pro-lifers

Jan 27, 2025

By Kate Quiñones

The Justice Department said it will limit its enforcement of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act except... Read more

Paul Vaughn with his wife, Bethany, told CNA that “it’s great to see a president like Donald Trump who understands the injustice that has gone on” after Trump pardoned him and other pro-life activists prosecuted under the Biden administration.

Pro-life activist Paul Vaughn ‘rejoices’ over Trump pardon after 2-year-long ordeal

Jan 23, 2025

By Madalaine Elhabbal

The pardon put an end to the Biden administration’s prosecution of Vaughn and his fellow pro-life activists, among whom were... Read more

Pro-life activists protest the incarceration of nine activists charged with FACE Act violations.

Trump pardons 23 pro-life activists 

Jan 23, 2025

By Zelda Caldwell, Tyler Arnold

At least two times during his 2024 campaign for the presidency, Trump said he intended to release pro-life activists who... Read more

Joan Andrews Bell, Jean Marshall, Heather Idoni, and Paulette Harlow are four pro-life women serving time after being convicted on federal charges for for blockading the inside of an abortion clinic in 2020.

Thomas More Society petitions Trump to pardon 21 pro-life activists in prison

Jan 16, 2025

By Tyler Arnold

In its petition to President-elect Donald Trump, the Thomas More Society argues “these pro-life Americans are deserving of full and... Read more

Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee during her confirmation hearing to be the next U.S. attorney general in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on Jan. 15, 2025, in Washington, D.C.

Attorney General nominee Pam Bondi vows to end ‘weaponization’ against Catholics

Jan 15, 2025

By Tyler Arnold

During her Jan. 15 hearing in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Pam Bondi referred to the Richmond FBI memo... Read more

Vandalism at a Heartbeat of Miami pregnancy center in Hialeah, Florida, July 3, 2022.

Florida woman convicted in conspiracy targeting pro-life pregnancy resource centers

Dec 20, 2024

By Kate Quiñones

A Florida woman was convicted on Thursday for conspiracy targeting pro-life pregnancy resource centers, the U.S. Department of Justice announced... Read more

An FBI agent stands outside the Houck residence in Kintnersville, Pennsylvania, on Sept. 23, 2022. Mark Houck was arrested that day and charged with assaulting a Planned Parenthood escort outside an Philadelphia abortion clinic on Oct. 13, 2021.

Republicans consider FACE Act repeal amid testimony on pro-life targeting

Dec 19, 2024

By Tyler Arnold

Under President Joe Biden’s Department of Justice, the law has almost exclusively been used to convict pro-life demonstrators. Read more

From left: John Hinshaw, Jonathan Darnel, Lauren Handy, Joan Bell, and Jean Marshall are among the pro-life activists who are still in prison or awaiting prison sentences on federal charges brought by President Joe Biden’s Department of Justice for protests at abortion clinics — but President-elect Donald Trump has signaled he will likely grant them presidential pardons.

Meet the pro-life prisoners whom Trump is expected to pardon

Nov 21, 2024

By Tyler Arnold

During President Joe Biden’s tenure as president, the DOJ has brought FACE Act charges against more than 30 people who... Read more

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Young mother jailed for 3.5 years for blocking abortion entrance

Oct 18, 2024

By Kate Quiñones

Bevelyn Beatty Williams reported to the Federal Correctional Institution in Aliceville, Alabama, after the judge denied her appeal request. Read more

Longtime pro-life activist Eva Edl (left) prays in front of a Senate office building on Capitol Hill, Sept. 6, 2001, to protest President George W. Bush's decision to allow limited stem cell research.

89-year-old death camp survivor convicted for pro-life protest faces jail time

Aug 21, 2024

By Daniel Payne

The seven defendants in the case were found guilty for their involvement in a “blockade of a reproductive health care... Read more

Pro-life activists are facing federal charges for protesting abortion at the Carafem Health Center Clinic, in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee.

Three more pro-life activists sentenced under FACE Act

Jul 31, 2024

By Peter Pinedo

James Zastrow, Eva Zastrow, and Paul Place were sentenced to 90 days in home detention and three years of probation... Read more

Vandalism at a Heartbeat of Miami pregnancy center in Hialeah, Florida, July 3, 2022.

Florida pro-abortion activists to pay restitution following pro-life clinic vandalism 

Jul 26, 2024

By Kate Quiñones

At Heartbeat of Miami, the vandalism resulted in thousands of dollars in damages, with graffitied messages such as “Jane’s Revenge”... Read more

A Manhattan federal court sentenced Bevelyn Beatty Williams, a 33-year-old pro-life activist, to three years and five months in prison July 24, 2024, for violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act by preaching outside an abortion clinic.

Young mother gets more than 3 years in prison for blocking abortion clinic entrance

Jul 25, 2024

By Kate Quiñones

Bevelyn Beatty Williams, 33, was convicted of “interference, including by threats and force, with individuals seeking to obtain and provide”... Read more

FBI Director Christopher Wray testifies before the House Judiciary Committee in the Rayburn House Office Building on July 24, 2024, in Washington, D.C.

FBI director denies targeting pro-life activists

Jul 25, 2024

By Peter Pinedo

FBI Director Christopher Wray denied in his testimony to Congress on Wednesday that the bureau under the Biden administration has... Read more

U.S. Department of Justice headquarters building in Washington, D.C.

Pro-life activist Paul Vaughn avoids jail time after FACE Act conviction

Jul 3, 2024

By Tyler Arnold

Pro-life activist Paul Vaughn has been sentenced to three years of supervised release — but did not receive prison time... Read more

Vandalism at a Heartbeat of Miami pregnancy center in Hialeah, Florida, July 3, 2022.

Perpetrators to be ‘held accountable’ after vandalism against pregnancy center

Jul 2, 2024

By Kate Quiñones

Heartbeat of Miami has “reached a favorable settlement” with vandals who graffitied its property in June 2022, according to a... Read more

Pro-life activists protest the incarceration of nine activists charged with FACE Act violations.

Another elderly pro-life activist sentenced to two years in prison

May 31, 2024

By Joe Bukuras

Paulette Harlow, 75, was sentenced to two years in jail Friday after being convicted last November of participating in a... Read more

Washington Surgi-Clinic on F St. NW in Washington, D.C., on April 7, 2022.

Pro-lifers imprisoned under FACE Act speak out

May 16, 2024

By Peter Pinedo

Joan Andrews Bell, a 76-year-old Catholic, shared a statement in which she vowed to continue advocating for the unborn and... Read more

PAAU activists hold a rally outside Washington Surgi-Clinic in Washington, D.C., May 4, 2022.

Lawmakers renew calls to repeal the FACE Act

May 16, 2024

By Peter Pinedo

Lawmakers are claiming that the FACE Act, which was used to convict and sentence the pro-life activists, is being abused... Read more