Trump Pardons 23 Pro-Life Activists Prosecuted by the Biden Administration's FACE Act
President Donald Trump pardoned 23 pro-life activists who the Biden administration prosecuted for unlawfully protesting at abortion clinics.
"Twenty-three people that were prosecuted," Trump said during his signing of the pardon. "They should not have been prosecuted. Many of them are elderly people. They should not have been prosecuted. This is a great honor to sign this."
"They'll be very happy," he added.
According to The Christian Post, the now pardoned activists were previously activists given sentences, including prison time for violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE ACT).
Among them were nine anti-abortion activists who were convicted for blockading a Washington, D.C.-based abortion in 2020.
The pardons come a day before the annual "March for Life," where thousands of pro-life activists will rally and march in Washington, D.C., on Friday against abortion.
đš BREAKING: President Donald J. Trump grants pardons to peaceful pro-life protesters prosecuted by the Biden administration over exercising their First Amendment rights. pic.twitter.com/XwzU4dEJt8
â Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) January 23, 2025
Leaders of pro-life advocacy groups celebrated the news of Trump's pardon of the pro-life activists.
"We thank President Trump for immediately delivering on his promise to free pro-life protesters who [were] targeted and imprisoned by [President Joe] Biden's Department of Justice. Pro-life moms, grandmothers, and even Eva Edl, a Communist prison camp survivor, were thrown in jail for peacefully protesting abortion," said Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America President Marjorie Dannenfelser in a statement.
"As if that were not enough, aggressive sentences were handed down, like five years for Lauren Handy who sought to expose evidence of late-term and potentially illegal abortions in the nation's capital," she added.
Lila Rose, founder and President of Live Action thanked Trump for pardoning the pro-activists "justly imprisoned or prosecuted by the corrupt Biden admin."
GREAT NEWS:
â Lila Rose (@LilaGraceRose) January 23, 2025
President Trump has just pardoned 23 pro-life activists, unjustly imprisoned or prosecuted by the corrupt Biden admin.
"This is a great honor to sign this."
Thank you, @realDonaldTrump!
Dr. Abby Johnson, a former Planned director turned pro-life activist, also expressed her gratitude to Trump for the decision.
"Thank you @realDonaldTrump for pardoning the prolifers who have been held captive in federal prison because of Biden's 'injustice' system," Johnson, CEO of @ATTWNministry, wrote.
Thank you @realDonaldTrump for pardoning the prolifers who have been held captive in federal prison because of Bidenâs âinjusticeâ system. @POTUS
â Dr. Abby Johnson (@AbbyJohnson) January 23, 2025
The FACE Act, signed by President Bill Clinton in 1994, prohibits violent or threatening conduct intended to interfere with the work of reproductive health care providers, including abortion and additional services.
According to Fox News, many lawmakers contended that Democratic administrations have weaponized the FACE Act to target pro-life groups and Christians. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, has introduced legislation that would dismantle the FACE Act.
"97% of FACE Act prosecutions between the years of 1994-2024 were initiated against pro-life Americans; it is laughable to argue that the law hasn't been weaponized. Let's put H.R. 589 on the President's desk and end this once and for all," Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, said in a statement following Trump's pardon.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Anna Moneymaker/Staff
Originally published January 24, 2025.
