Justice Department curtails prosecutions for blocking reproductive health care facilities

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: AP

Updated 3:07 PM EST, January 24, 2025


WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s new Justice Department leadership issued an order Friday to curtail prosecutions against people accused of blocking reproductive rights facilities, calling the cases an example of the “weaponization” of law enforcement.

Justice Department chief of staff Chad Mizelle said in a memo obtained by The Associated Press that prosecutions and civil actions under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act or “FACE Act” will now be permitted only in “extraordinary circumstances” or in cases presenting ”significant aggravating factors.”

Mizelle also ordered the immediate dismissal of three FACE Act cases related to 2021 blockades of clinics in Tennessee, Pennsylvania and Ohio. One man was accused of obtaining “illegal access to a secure patient space at a Planned Parenthood facility in Philadelphia without staff permission or knowledge” and barricading himself in a restroom, according to court papers.

The news comes after Trump pardoned several anti-abortion activists convicted of blockading abortion clinic entrances in violation of the FACE Act, which is designed to protect abortion clinics from obstruction and threats.

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/justice-department-reproductive-care-clinics-prosecutions-5f693b186d0dd62fc693474aab7b5f3f

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Short article at post time.

[bluestarone]

1. Justice department OWNED by this pesident!

[Ocelot II]

3. Can we even call it the Department of Justice any more?

I sure don't see any justice coming out of it.

[Ocelot II]

2. It's open season on these clinics now.

Fortunately the remaining ones are mostly in states where reproductive rights are protected, but you can expect the assholes to ramp up their harassment of those clinics - though they cans still be prosecuted under state law.

[AZJonnie]

5. Some details on the complementary state laws

Per ChatGPT:

States with FACE-like Protections:
California: Prohibits obstructing access to clinics, making threats toward clinic staff or patients, and damaging clinic property.
New York: Enforces laws against obstructing clinic entrances, making threats, and damaging property.
Washington: Bans obstructing access to clinics, making threats, and property damage.
Maine: Prohibits obstructing clinic entrances and harassment by telephone.
Maryland: Enforces laws against obstructing clinic access.
Minnesota: Prohibits obstructing clinic entrances.
Montana: Enforces laws against obstructing clinic access.
Nevada: Prohibits obstructing clinic entrances.
North Carolina: Bans obstructing clinic access, making threats, and weapon possession during demonstrations outside clinics.
Oregon: Prohibits obstructing clinic entrances and damaging clinic property.
Wisconsin: Enforces laws against making threats toward clinic staff or patients.

These state laws complement the federal FACE Act by addressing specific local issues and providing additional enforcement options to protect individuals seeking reproductive health services.

I don't know if it's exhaustive, but if so, it's awfully short, and I don't see my State on it. Also, I AM SOOOOO FUCKING PISSED RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[AZJonnie]

4. So, Trump is literally and blatantly telling his DoJ to just ignore any law his MAGAt's don't like.

(1994) In the U.S. Senate, the FACE Act was passed with a vote of 69 in favor and 30 against. In the House of Representatives, the Act was approved by a recorded vote of 237 to 169. While specific party-line breakdowns are not detailed in the available sources, the Act received bipartisan support in both chambers of Congress.

I wonder if it's ever going to dawn on the nut-swinging GOP congresscritters that Trump is actively setting about making Congress irrelevant, and making himself the final arbiter of which laws are worthy of enforcement. Because THAT is not 'weaponizing' or 'politicizing' the DoJ at all

[BumRushDaShow]

6. "While specific party-line breakdowns are not detailed in the available sources,"

S.636 - Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act of 1994


HOUSE ROLL CALL VOTES
https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/199470 (initial)
https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/1994159 (conference report as amended)

SENATE ROLL CALL VOTE
https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1031/vote_103_1_00373.htm (initial)
https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1032/vote_103_2_00112.htm (conference report as amended)

[AZJonnie]

7. Thanks!

Yeah that bit was from AI because I'm kinda lazy

[BumRushDaShow]

8. The AI out there right now sucks BIGLY

[AZJonnie]

9. Personally think, objectively, it's amazing and super handy

Separating the technology itself from the societal implications, I mean. Just now I just persisted and told ChatGPT to check the congressional record, and it came back with:

Upon further research, I have found detailed information regarding the party-line breakdown of the votes for the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

House of Representatives:

Date of Vote: March 17, 1994
Total Vote: 237 in favor, 169 against
Party Breakdown:
Democrats: 215 in favor, 15 against
Republicans: 22 in favor, 153 against
Independents: 0 in favor, 1 against
Senate:

Date of Vote: November 16, 1993
Total Vote: 69 in favor, 30 against
Party Breakdown:
Democrats: 51 in favor, 2 against
Republicans: 18 in favor, 28 against
These votes reflect a predominantly partisan division, with the majority of Democrats supporting the FACE Act and the majority of Republicans opposing it.

For detailed voting records, you can refer to the official congressional records or reputable news sources that reported on the vote at the time.

[BumRushDaShow]

10. Well where I encounter it the most

is Google's deployed mess of AI.

[sinkingfeeling]

11. We don't need no laws.

[electric_blue68]

12. Damn....More Harassment ahead!

I was temping in health related place early 90's. However in the same building was a place that provided Women's Heaith Care including abortions.

So I'd pass those annoying protrstors behind the baricades. I find them annoying, but to a woman directly affected it's probably waaaay more distressing!
I certainly wish they weren't there for the sake of the women in need!

But now...with drumphf's "permission" I hope thet they don't resort to physical violence! 😞🤬