President Donald Trump has pardoned 23 pro-life demonstrators who were convicted under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, commonly referred to as the FACE Act.
“Twenty-three people were prosecuted. They should not have been prosecuted,” Trump told reporters while signing the series of pardons on Jan. 23.
“Many of them are elderly people. They should not have been prosecuted. This is a great honor to sign this.”
Trump said it was “ridiculous” that some of the 23 protesters were in prison.
Those pardoned included 10 protesters who were convicted over an October 2020 demonstration at a Washington abortion clinic.
Lauren Handy was sentenced to four years and nine months in prison for organizing the protest, during which demonstrators linked themselves together with chains to block the clinic’s doors.
Trump pardoned Handy and her co-defendants: Jonathan Darnel of Virginia; Jay Smith, John Hinshaw, and William Goodman, all of New York; Joan Bell of New Jersey; Paulette Harlow and Jean Marshall, both of Massachusetts; Heather Idoni of Michigan; and Herb Geraghty of Pennsylvania.
Several pro-life organizations had appealed to Trump on the pro-life advocates’ behalf, holding that the Biden administration had politically targeted them. Among those groups was the Thomas More Society, which celebrated the news of the pardons in a statement.
“Today is a new day for the pardoned pro-life advocates who have suffered FBI raids, federal prosecutions, and severe punishment for peacefully and courageously witnessing for life,” said Peter Breen, Thomas More Society executive vice president and head of litigation,” the group said.
“We thank President Trump for keeping his promise to these pro-life mothers, fathers, grandparents, pastors, and priests.”
Those sentiments were echoed by Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America.
“There is no question these prosecutions were political,” Dannenfelser said in a statement. “Even ex-FBI director Chris Wray admits the overwhelming majority of abortion-related threats and violence since Dobbs is directed at pro-life Americans—not done by them. We look forward to the end of Biden’s anti-life discrimination under Attorney General Pam Bondi.”
Abortion advocates, however, criticized the move as evidence that Trump intends to tighten restrictions on abortion.
“Donald Trump on the campaign trail tried to have it both ways—bragging about his role in overturning Roe v. Wade while saying he wasn’t going to take action on abortion,” said Ryan Stitzlein, vice president of political and government relations for Reproductive Freedom for All.
The pardons come one day before a swarm of pro-life advocates is expected to converge on Washington for the 52nd annual March for Life.
Trump is slated to address the march in a video message, building on his legacy of support for the demonstration. In 2020, he became the first sitting president to address the march in person. This year, he will be in California surveying the damage from the devastating wildfires that have ravaged the state. Vice President JD Vance will attend and address the march in person.
Samantha Flom is a reporter for The Epoch Times covering U.S. politics and news. A graduate of Syracuse University, she has a background in journalism and nonprofit communications. Contact her at [email protected].
Reprinted with Permission from The Epoch Times – By Samantha Flom
The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of AMAC or AMAC Action.
The irony of those criminalized for speaking out for the unborn vs those who destroy them.
Awesome! Thank you President Trump! The right to life is the most important right of all.
Trump is being True to his Word. Something Biden has never been in more than 50 years in Politics. How could anyone stay a Democrat under such a terrible person that they called a leader. Biden and Obama, the Twins of American Destruction.
One of the happiest days in this short time that President Trump pardoned the so called “violent” prisoners for praying in front of an abortion clinic! While this Ryan Stitzlein who’s full of s… Trump rvan on the promise that it would be up to the states to decide t he abortion issue. Joe Biden decided that that these people were harden criminals and these your “Dishonor” judges threw the book at them. Doing time in federal prisons while the real hardened criminals were running around killing and raping people and were protected by ahole Biden. Justice has been served by President Trump Pardo ING these folks who shouldn’t have never been arrested.
Under the DImocratic “Rule of Law”, the terms “persecution” and “prosecution” are synonymous.
It was so horrendous ready their stories. It was plain evil of Biden to jail them. I pray all of them have been rescued out of jail. I know one of them was older and had cancer and still she was in jail. It makes me sick that the democrats are still pursuing them and look what is happening with the jan6 people. Will they ever look in the mirror to what evil they’ve become?
Guess they weren’t as “grandfatherly” as Biden to avoid prosecution. The MSM treated these pardons with the same deference they did with their sentencing: utter silence!
Every day I thank GOD for PRESIDENT TRUMP . This man who has been sent here to stamp out pure EVIL . Karma , that is what I wish for every Dem who persecuted another person unfairly . I do believe hundreds of people including President TRUMP have been victims of this regime . The DEM’S have taken their play book from the NAZI’S .. They should have to endure what they did to others .
The demons are desperate to murder the unborn, and penalize those who oppose!
They should NOT have chained themselves, that did in fact break the law. But the 86 year old who was simply praying and they put her in federal prison? Her story needs to be told on conservative-friendly media while some middle ground people are still listening!! Obviously she won’t be invited to the View. She should sit down with that ridiculous bishop who preached her disgust at the National Prayer Service. Wake her *** up!
Great! These people should have not been criminalized.
Sad to know that the Democrats will have you arrested for trying to protect life. Thank God for our President!
Many thanks and much appreciation to Predident Trump. It’s about time someone received a pardon for being innocent!
“Abortion advocates criticized DJT’s move…” WHO CARES what these evil scumbags think??? It’s another reversal of bahl-worshipping Biden’s plan to persecute conservatives! MAGA!!!
These perverters of justice are still at their jobs I assume. Will those who let the true . criminals go free be brought to justice, doubt it, should that happen not many would be left standing in any blue city.
Imagine living in a country where one party encourages and supports Black Lives Matter and Antifa protesters in causing $2B in damages costing lives and treasure, then turns around and persecutes and prosecutes protesters advocating for saving innocent unborn babies. It is like a chapter out of Dick Tracy’s BIZZARRO WORLD.