President Donald Trump has pardoned 23 pro-life demonstrators who were convicted under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, commonly referred to as the FACE Act.
“Twenty-three people were prosecuted. They should not have been prosecuted,” Trump told reporters while signing the series of pardons on Jan. 23.
“Many of them are elderly people. They should not have been prosecuted. This is a great honor to sign this.”
Trump said it was “ridiculous” that some of the 23 protesters were in prison.
Those pardoned included 10 protesters who were convicted over an October 2020 demonstration at a Washington abortion clinic.
Lauren Handy was sentenced to four years and nine months in prison for organizing the protest, during which demonstrators linked themselves together with chains to block the clinic’s doors.
Trump pardoned Handy and her co-defendants: Jonathan Darnel of Virginia; Jay Smith, John Hinshaw, and William Goodman, all of New York; Joan Bell of New Jersey; Paulette Harlow and Jean Marshall, both of Massachusetts; Heather Idoni of Michigan; and Herb Geraghty of Pennsylvania.
“Today is a new day for the pardoned pro-life advocates who have suffered FBI raids, federal prosecutions, and severe punishment for peacefully and courageously witnessing for life,” said Peter Breen, Thomas More Society executive vice president and head of litigation,” the group said.
“We thank President Trump for keeping his promise to these pro-life mothers, fathers, grandparents, pastors, and priests.”
Those sentiments were echoed by Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America.
Abortion advocates, however, criticized the move as evidence that Trump intends to tighten restrictions on abortion.
“Donald Trump on the campaign trail tried to have it both ways—bragging about his role in overturning Roe v. Wade while saying he wasn’t going to take action on abortion,” said Ryan Stitzlein, vice president of political and government relations for Reproductive Freedom for All.
The pardons come one day before a swarm of pro-life advocates is expected to converge on Washington for the 52nd annual March for Life.
Trump is slated to address the march in a video message, building on his legacy of support for the demonstration. In 2020, he became the first sitting president to address the march in person. This year, he will be in California surveying the damage from the devastating wildfires that have ravaged the state. Vice President JD Vance, however, will attend and address the march in person.
