Attorney General Merrick Garland said the Justice Department would “protect those seeking to obtain or provide reproductive health services” under a federal law known as the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act.
In other words, the federal government is bypassing state law, ignoring state’s rights, and enforcing a federal statue that doesn’t apply, all to protect unrestricted access to abortion.
The priorities of the Biden administration never cease to amaze.
Garland said in a statement that federal prosecutors are still urgently exploring options to challenge the Texas law. He said the Justice Department would enforce the federal law “in order to protect the constitutional rights of women and other persons, including access to an abortion.”
Merrick Garland just announced that the DOJ will protect women seeking abortions in Texas and will investigate and prosecute anyone who injures, intimidates, or interferes with a person seeking reproductive health services, or who damages facilities that provide it. pic.twitter.com/mwnckpCbcA
— MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) September 6, 2021
The federal law, commonly known as the FACE Act, prohibits physically obstructing or using the threat of force to intimidate or interfere with a person seeking reproductive health services. The law also prohibits damaging property at abortion clinics and other reproductive health centers.
The new Texas law prohibits abortions once medical professionals can detect cardiac activity, usually around six weeks.. Courts have blocked other states from imposing similar restrictions, but Texas’ law differs significantly because it leaves enforcement up to private citizens through lawsuits instead of criminal prosecutors.
Justice Department officials have also been in contact with U.S. attorneys in Texas and the FBI field offices in the state to discuss enforcing the federal provisions.
Author: Elizabeth Tierney
