Republican lawmakers slammed the Biden administration on Wednesday over a “weaponized” Justice Department after four more Christian pro-lifers face prison time after they were convicted of FACE-Act related charges on Tuesday.
The four, Eva Edl, Eva Zastrow, James Zastrow, and Paul Place, face up to six months in prison and a $10,000 fine after they were found guilty of violating the FACE Act by Middle District of Tennessee Magistrate Judge Chip Frensly. Critics say that the FACE Act, a Clinton-era law that criminalizes the use of force or threats of force that prevent someone from accessing an abortion facility, has been used to target pro-lifers.
In the aftermath of the convictions, some lawmakers again renewed calls for repeal of the FACE Act, saying that it had been weaponized.
“Biden’s DOJ is weaponized against pro-life demonstrators,” Rep Andy Biggs (R-AZ) said, commenting on the Tuesday trial. “This is not acceptable. Congress must repeal the FACE Act.”
Biden's DOJ is weaponized against pro-life demonstrators.
This is not acceptable.
Congress must repeal the FACE Act.https://t.co/AOhLu4Tyb4
— Rep Andy Biggs (@RepAndyBiggsAZ) April 3, 2024
“I am a proud cosponsor of [Rep. Chip Roy’]s FACE Act Repeal Act of 2023,” Biggs added. “Let’s get it done.”
Roy introduced a bill in the House last year that would repeal the FACE Act and a companion bill was put forth in the Senate by Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT). Roy again urged Congress to take up his measure on Wednesday, saying that Congress should pass it “immediately.”
Edl, Place, and the Zastrows (brother and sister) were charged by the DOJ after they participated in a sit-in at the Carafem abortion facility in Mt Juliet, Tennessee, on March 5, 2021. On that day, a group of demonstrators gathered on the second floor of an office building in the hallway outside Carafem. The group prayed, sang hymns, and urged women showing up to the clinic to not get abortions.
Photos were displayed at the trial showing the four sitting in front of the door to Carafem, but the defendants’ lawyers argued that the DOJ never proved they had actually blocked anyone from entering or actually inhibited the activities of the staff of the facility.
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Responding to the news of the convictions on Tuesday, Rep. Barry Moore (R-AL) blasted the Biden administration for its targeting of pro-life activists.
“More than 5,000 illegals enter our country every day and the Biden Administration has no idea where they are,” he posted on X. “If you’re a pro-life activist, Biden’s DOJ definitely knows where you are.”
More than 5,000 illegals enter our country every day and the Biden Administration has no idea where they are.
If you’re a pro-life activist, Biden’s DOJ definitely knows where you are. https://t.co/pEcEtuF7xv
— Rep. Barry Moore (@RepBarryMoore) April 3, 2024
Rep. Mary Miller (R-IL) also slammed Biden over the prosecution of the pro-lifers.
“Biden’s DOJ is prosecuting Christians for peacefully praying outside abortion clinics, which is their First Amendment right,” she wrote. “Meanwhile, 10 million illegal aliens walked into our country, including known terrorist ‘gotaways’ & Biden’s DOJ has no idea where they are. AMERICA LAST!”
Biden's DOJ is prosecuting Christians for peacefully praying outside abortion clinics, which is their First Amendment right. Meanwhile, 10 million illegal aliens walked into our country, including known terrorist "gotaways" & Biden's DOJ has no idea where they are. AMERICA LAST! https://t.co/KJv920JTik
— Rep. Mary Miller (@RepMaryMiller) April 3, 2024
Rep. Eric Burlison (R-MO), a member of the House Oversight Committee, called the whole thing “gross.”
“Instead of securing the border and protecting Americans, Joe Biden is going after Pro-Lifers – gross,” Burlison said.
Instead of securing the border and protecting Americans, Joe Biden is going after Pro-Lifers – gross. https://t.co/3ezrAyjetc
— Rep. Eric Burlison (@RepEricBurlison) April 3, 2024
In January, six other pro-lifers who were at Carafem in March 2021 were convicted of similar charges and could be sentenced to over 10 years in prison and leveled hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of fines.