The Department of Justice (DOJ) has fired at least four prosecutors involved in handling cases under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act during the Biden administration, a government official familiar with the matter told CBS News.
Among those dismissed on Monday was Sanjay Patel, a seasoned federal prosecutor in the Civil Rights Division’s criminal section, who had been placed on administrative leave the previous month. The timing of these terminations coincided with the completion of a Justice Department report examining the enforcement of the FACE Act under the Biden administration.
Details of the FACE Act and the Recent Review
Enacted by Congress in 1994, the FACE Act aims to protect reproductive health clinics and patients from threats and intimidation. The law classifies nonviolent, first-time offenses as misdemeanors, while repeat offenses or actions causing bodily harm or death may be prosecuted as felonies.
The ongoing review is being conducted by the DOJ’s so-called “weaponization working group,” established early under former Attorney General Pam Bondi. According to a DOJ spokesperson, personnel responsible for “weaponizing the FACE Act” who remained in the department have now been terminated.
Political Context and Case Enforcement
The Trump administration had repeatedly alleged—without providing evidence—that the Civil Rights Division under then-Attorney General Merrick Garland selectively targeted conservative anti-abortion Christians using the FACE Act. However, documents reviewed by CBS News indicate that while the DOJ also prosecuted abortion rights activists accused of intimidation at crisis pregnancy centers, these cases were minimal compared to those involving anti-abortion individuals.
Early in his second term, President Trump pardoned many defendants convicted under the FACE Act during the Biden administration. In addition, the DOJ dropped several FACE Act cases and instructed prosecutors to slow down future investigations.
Despite these orders, remaining FACE Act prosecutions involving abortion rights activists have continued without interference. One Florida-based defendant was sentenced to 120 days in prison in March 2025. Other federal prosecutors handling FACE Act cases have since left the DOJ.
Why it matters
The recent firings reflect ongoing tensions over the enforcement of the FACE Act, which intersects with divisive issues around abortion rights and free speech. The DOJ’s internal review and associated personnel actions suggest efforts to address concerns about possible politicization or misuse of the law during the Biden administration.
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