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Justice Department Terminates Four Prosecutors Involved in FACE Act Enforcement

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Justice Department Terminates Prosecutors Involved in FACE Act Cases

The U.S. Department of Justice terminated the employment of at least four federal prosecutors who had been involved in cases brought under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act. The terminations occurred on a Monday, coinciding with the finalization of a departmental report on the Act's enforcement. The firings follow a series of administrative and legal actions related to the FACE Act spanning multiple presidential administrations.

Key Details of the Terminations

  • The Justice Department terminated at least four federal prosecutors.
  • The terminations occurred on a Monday, according to a government official familiar with the firings.
  • Among those terminated was Sanjay Patel, a prosecutor in the Civil Rights Division's criminal section. Patel had been placed on administrative leave the previous month.
  • The terminations took place as a Justice Department report on the FACE Act was being finalized.

Background on the FACE Act

The Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act is a federal law passed by Congress in 1994. Its stated purpose is to address threats, obstruction, and intimidation at reproductive health clinics.

  • Nonviolent, first-time offenses under the Act are classified as misdemeanors.
  • Repeat offenses or violations that result in bodily injury or death can be treated as felonies.

Official Statement and Report Context

A Justice Department spokesperson stated the department "has terminated the employment of personnel responsible for weaponizing the FACE Act who still remained at the department."

The report on FACE Act enforcement is being drafted by a "weaponization working group" established within the Justice Department during the tenure of former Attorney General Pam Bondi.

Conflicting Viewpoints on Enforcement:

  • Officials during the Trump administration alleged that the Civil Rights Division under former Attorney General Merrick Garland used the FACE Act to target conservative Christians opposed to abortion. These allegations were not accompanied by cited evidence.
  • The Justice Department has also pursued criminal charges against abortion rights activists accused of intimidating workers at crisis pregnancy centers.
  • Excerpts from a draft of the report indicated the number of cases against abortion rights activists was minimal compared to cases targeting anti-abortion activists.

Related Legal and Administrative Actions

The terminations are part of a broader series of actions concerning FACE Act cases:

  • Early in his second term, President Donald Trump pardoned many individuals who had been convicted under the FACE Act during the Biden administration.
  • The Justice Department dismissed several other pending FACE Act cases and ordered prosecutors to halt future investigations under the Act.
  • The current Justice Department has allowed remaining FACE Act cases involving abortion rights activists to proceed. One defendant in Florida received a 120-day prison term in March 2025.
  • Many other former federal prosecutors who handled FACE Act cases had already left the Justice Department prior to this week's terminations.

Reporting

The information regarding the terminations was reported by CBS News, citing a government official familiar with the firings. The news organization MS NOW was first to report that Sanjay Patel had been placed on administrative leave.