Democrats Silent as Attorney General Moves to Prosecute Minnesota Church Disruptors Under FACE Act
ST. PAUL, Minn. — In a striking reversal of tone, several Democratic lawmakers who previously urged Attorney General Pam Bondi to rigorously apply the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act against pro-life demonstrators have remained notably silent following recent charges brought under the same law against individuals who disrupted a church service in Minnesota.
On January 18, federal authorities charged several protestors who interrupted a Baptist service in St. Paul, invoking the FACE Act, which criminalizes the use of force, threat of force, or physical obstruction to interfere with reproductive health services or religious worship. Attorney General Bondi announced the charges as part of a broader effort to uphold the law’s provisions against acts of disruption and intimidation.
This development has placed Democratic figures who, in March 2025, signed a 75-member letter demanding Bondi “fully enforce” the FACE Act against pro-life activists, in a delicate position. The letter, spearheaded by Representatives Sean Casten, Jan Schakowsky, and Jerrold Nadler, called for stringent prosecution of demonstrators at abortion clinics. However, when asked by Fox News Digital about the recent church disruption charges, these same lawmakers have declined to comment.
The silence has sparked criticism from Republican leaders who argue that the Democrats’ selective advocacy undermines the principle of equal enforcement of federal laws. GOP lawmakers contend that if the FACE Act is to be enforced against one group of protesters, it must be applied uniformly, regardless of the context or political affiliation of the demonstrators.
Legal experts note that the FACE Act, codified at 18 U.S.C. § 248, was originally enacted to protect access to reproductive health services and places of worship from violent or obstructive protests. The Department of Justice has the authority to pursue charges when individuals engage in acts that intentionally interfere with these protected activities.
Attorney General Bondi’s office emphasized that the FACE Act charges in Minnesota reflect a commitment to uphold the law impartially. “The enforcement of the FACE Act is not about political ideology but about protecting the rights of individuals to worship and access services without fear of disruption or violence,” a spokesperson said.
The incident in St. Paul drew attention to the ongoing tensions surrounding protests at religious institutions and reproductive health facilities nationwide. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the FACE Act has been a critical tool in addressing violent or obstructive protests since its passage in 1994.
Meanwhile, the text of the FACE Act clearly outlines prohibitions against using force or threats to interfere with reproductive health services or religious exercise, underscoring the law’s bipartisan intent to protect fundamental rights.
Observers also point to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other federal agencies’ roles in supporting law enforcement efforts in such cases, highlighting the complexity of balancing civil liberties with public safety.
As the legal proceedings in Minnesota unfold, the question remains whether the Democratic lawmakers who once championed aggressive FACE Act enforcement will voice support for these charges or continue their silence. The situation underscores the broader challenges of applying federal laws consistently amid a polarized political climate.
For now, Attorney General Bondi’s decision to prosecute the church disruptors signals a renewed focus on enforcing the FACE Act’s protections across all communities, regardless of the protesters’ motivations or affiliations.
Leave a Reply