The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) revealed Tuesday that federal prosecutors allegedly withheld key evidence while pursuing cases against pro-life activists who protested at abortion clinics.
The findings were released in an extensive report by the DOJ’s Weaponization Working Group, which examined enforcement of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act during the Biden administration. The law is intended to protect both abortion providers and pregnancy resource centers from interference or violence.
According to the report, prosecutors “knowingly withheld evidence” requested by defense attorneys and, in some cases, falsely claimed the information did not exist. Investigators said this conduct may have impacted defendants’ ability to present a full legal defense.
The working group, established in 2025 under former Attorney General Pam Bondi, also concluded that enforcement of the FACE Act was applied unevenly. While abortion clinics received significant federal support, the report found that incidents involving vandalism or attacks on pro-life pregnancy centers and churches were often minimized or overlooked.
In addition, the investigation uncovered instances where abortion advocacy groups allegedly coordinated with federal authorities by identifying pro-life activists who were later prosecuted. The report also claimed that prosecutors pursued harsher penalties against pro-life defendants compared to individuals accused of violence who supported abortion rights.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche condemned the findings, stating that the DOJ “will not tolerate a two-tiered system of justice.”
“No Department should conduct selective prosecution based on beliefs,” Blanche said. “The weaponization that happened under the Biden Administration will not happen again, as we restore integrity to our prosecutorial system.”
Assistant Attorney General Daniel Burrows described the conduct outlined in the report as “shameful,” alleging that some DOJ lawyers worked to exclude religious individuals from juries and allowed the department to serve ideological interests.
The report follows actions taken earlier this year by Donald Trump, who pardoned several individuals convicted under the FACE Act. The DOJ has since moved to dismiss or settle multiple related cases as part of what officials describe as an effort to address past injustices.
The 882-page report marks the first major release from the working group and signals a broader review of federal prosecutorial practices, particularly in cases involving religious expression and pro-life advocacy.
