Rep. Chip Roy says DOJ is hiding data about FACE Act prosecutions targeting pro-lifers

On Friday, Congressman Chip Roy (R-TX) issued a letter to the Department of Justice after the federal agency failed to comply with legislators' requests for data regarding the criteria used to prosecute Americans under the FACE Act, or Freedom of Access to Clinical Entrances.

Kristen Clarke, the DOJ's Assistant Attorney for Civil Rights, informed the House Judiciary Committee in December that they would receive the requested data, yet no data has been received.

Rep. Roy, who introduced legislation to repeal the FACE Act, first issued the request to the DOJ in October 2022.

There have been many concerns regarding how Americans are prosecuted under the FACE Act, which has been weaponized to target pro-life activists protesting at abortion clinics.

Roy wrote in the letter obtained by the Daily Signal that was sent to Clarke: "The Civil Rights Division continues to use the FACE Act to unfairly target pro-life advocates."

"On January 30, 2024, six pro-life advocates were found guilty of violating the FACE Act and they now face up ten and a half years in prison, three years of supervised release, and fines of up to $260,000," wrote Roy.

"These prosecutions come after DOJ conducted an aggressive raid on the home of pro-life advocate Mark Houck to arrest him on an overzealous FACE Act charge stemming from Mr. Houck’s earlier encounter with a belligerent abortion activist who attacked his young son," he added. "A Pennsylvania jury rightly acquitted in January 2023."

Rep. Roy warned that the "DOJ’s failure to produce FACE Act prosecution data is particularly troubling in light of the apparent disparity between prosecutions targeting pro-life protestors and pro-abortion attacks on places of worship and pregnancy resource centers."

"DOJ's refusal to comply with this request hampers the Committee’s constitutional duty to conduct oversight over the Department and the Civil Rights Division," he added. "DOJ must return to its core mission of protecting all Americans, not simply those that it favors."

The congressman is requesting information regarding the number of FACE Act cases brought by the Department of Justice (DOJ) since the law's enactment in 1994, the number of FACE Act cases filed in response to attacks or incidents at abortion providers, pregnancy resource centers, and places of religious worship, and any policies or procedures the DOJ may have implemented regarding the filing and prosecution of charges under FACE.

Pregnancy centers and houses of worship are also protected under the FACE Act, in addition to abortion clinics. However, the Biden DOJ has primarily utilized this legislation to prosecute pro-life individuals.

In May 2022, the Department of Justice filed a list of FACE Act cases that the Center for Investigative Reporting obtained, according to Roy. In a letter dated October 20, 2022, the congressman asked for the same details. However, the DOJ has still not provided it.
 

Rep. Chip Roy letter by Tommy on Scribd