Attorneys for Thomas More Society have asked the incoming Trump administration to pardon 21 pro-life advocates targeted by the Biden Department of Justice.
The law firm submitted formal requests January 14 for presidential pardons for 21 pro-life individuals who have been “unjustly prosecuted, convicted, and in several cases, imprisoned” by the Biden DOJ, a release from Thomas More Society (TMS) said, stating that “these pro-life Americans are deserving of full and unconditional pardons.”
The petitions include 21 individual pardon requests, one for each person, detailing specifics of each case, noting their personal and moral character, and the reasons why President-Elect Trump should grant a presidential pardon.
The pardon request included a cover letter explaining the legal rationale for the requested pardons and describes how the Biden DOJ “routinely and unconstitutionally weaponized the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act and “Conspiracy Against Rights” statute against peaceful pro-life advocates.”
The Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act “prohibits violent, threatening, damaging and obstructive conduct intended to injure, intimidate, or interfere with the right to seek, obtain or provide reproductive health services.”
Historically associated with protests of abortion facilities, the FACE Act applies to pregnancy help organizations as well, as clarified by the DOJ to Heartbeat International, the largest pregnancy help network in the U.S. and globally. However the Biden administration has prosecuted an inordinate number of pro-life advocates for their peaceful protest at abortion facilities with excessive tactics and penalties, in contrast to scant prosecution of pro-abortion vandals despite the rash of attacks on pregnancy centers, pro-life groups and churches following the Dobbs ruling. There have been charges of selective enforcement of the Act and calls to end it.
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The 21 pro-life advocates for whom Thomas More Society made the pardon requests are: Joan Bell, Coleman Boyd, Joel Curry, Jonathan Darnel, Eva Edl, Chester Gallagher, William Goodman, Dennis Green, Lauren Handy, Paulette Harlow, John Hinshaw, Heather Idoni, Jean Marshall, Fr. Fidelis Moscinski, Justin Phillips, Paul Place, Paul Vaughn, Bevelyn Beatty Williams, Calvin Zastrow, Eva Zastrow, and James Zastrow.
Heartbeat International’s General Counsel welcomed the pardon request.
“While the Biden administration was working hard to punish pro-life individuals for peacefully advocating for life, over 100 instances of pregnancy centers being targeted with hateful and destructive activity have gone ignored,” Danielle White said. “We applaud the Thomas More Society for its action on behalf of the 21 individuals that the Biden administration has punished for their views and are hopeful that they will see justice under a new administration.”
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The possibility of a pardon for the pro-life advocates prosecuted by the Biden DOJ has been floated since at least Trump’s decisive election win in November. Trump is set to take office January 20.
Thomas More Society said that Trump has indicated publicly he intends to pardon the pro-life advocates prosecuted during the Biden administration at least three times.
“With these requests for presidential pardons for 21 peaceful pro-life advocates, we urge President Trump to right the grievous wrongs of the Biden administration’s weaponization of the Department of Justice,” said Steve Crampton, senior counsel for Thomas More Society. “These 21 peaceful pro-lifers, many of whom are currently imprisoned for bravely standing up for unborn life, are upstanding citizens and pillars of their communities.”
“Through full and unconditional pardons for these pro-life advocates, President Trump has the chance to remedy the harm done to them and their families, deliver on his campaign promises, and repair trust in our constitutional order,” Crampton added.
Thomas More Society Executive Vice President and Head of Litigation Peter Breen echoed Crampton’s thoughts.
“We are hopeful that the second Trump administration will spell a new day for pro-life advocates who have faced FBI raids, federal prosecutions, and severe punishment for peacefully and courageously witnessing for life,” Breen said. “By acting on the requested presidential pardons, President Trump has a golden opportunity to not only stop the lawfare against peaceful pro-lifers, but to also undo some of the unprecedented damage of the Biden administration.
The Pardon Request Package Cover Letter submitted by Thomas More Society is available HERE.
Editor's note: Heartbeat International manages Pregnancy Help News.
