Seeking Transparency on Trump’s Greenlighting of Violence Against Abortion Providers and Patients
The Center is suing the Trump administration over its decision to selectively stop enforcing the FACE Act—a bipartisan law that protects abortion providers and patients from violence and harassment—and to pardon individuals already convicted under this law.
Summary
President Trump has made it a priority to undermine the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, a law meant to protect reproductive health providers and their patients from harassment and violence. On January 23, 2025—just days after taking office—he pardoned 23 people convicted of violating the FACE Act; one day later, the Department of Justice (DOJ) directed its Civil Rights Division to dismiss pending abortion-related FACE Act prosecutions.
With this directive, the DOJ asserted it would not prioritize investigations into incidents of violence against abortion clinics, staff, or patients. Instead, it has used the FACE Act to criminalize at least two people based on activity stemming from an anti-immigration enforcement protest that disrupted a service at a Minnesota church. DOJ officials Pam Bondi and Harmeet Dhillon have also vowed to use the FACE Act to protect fake clinics, otherwise known as “crisis pregnancy centers” (CPCs), while refusing to do the same for clinics that provide abortion care.
The Center has filed two Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests for records relating to these actions. The administration has not responded to either request. The Center is now suing to obtain these critical records.
BackgroundBackground
In the two decades following the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1973 decision in Roe v. Wade, anti-abortion extremists perpetrated more than 1,000 acts of violence against abortion providers, including at least 42 bombings, 102 acts of arson or attempted arson, 84 assaults, two kidnappings, 327 clinic invasions, 9 shootings, 16 burglaries, 4 murders, and numerous death threats and violent confrontations.
The FACE Act passed with bipartisan support in 1994 in response to this escalating crisis. Its introduction in the Senate came weeks after the 1993 murder of Florida Dr. David Gunn at the Pensacola Women’s Medical Services Clinic by violent extremists. An anti-abortion organization had posted “Wanted” posters with his name, address, phone number, and work schedule prior to the murder.
The FACE Act makes it a federal crime to use force, threat, or physical obstruction to intimidate or interfere with someone providing or accessing reproductive health care; or to damage or destroy reproductive health care facilities. It also includes protections for religious worshippers and places of worship—additions necessary to win votes from Republican lawmakers.
Immediately after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, there was a sharp increase in violence against abortion clinics, staff, and patients. That year there was a 538% increase in people obstructing clinic entrances, a 913% increase in stalking of clinic staff, and a 133% increase in bomb threats in states that protect abortion rights. Across 2023 and 2024, there were 777 reports of clinic obstructions—up from 45 in 2021—as well as 621 instances of trespassing, 296 death threats or threats of other harms, 13 clinic invasions, and 3 instances of arson.
In the wake of Roe‘s overturn, there are no longer abortion clinics across much of the Midwest and southern U.S. Many of the 71 clinics that closed in 2023 and 2024 (the latest year that violence and disruption data were available) were in hostile areas and reported high numbers of incidents. Nonetheless, extremists are traveling—or even moving—to states where abortion remains legal to continue intimidating and harassing patients, providers, and supporters.
By pardoning people convicted of FACE Act violations and discontinuing the prosecution of abortion-related FACE Act violations, the Trump administration has effectively greenlit this behavior—opening the door for more violence against providers and patients seeking care.
Our Sterling Heights clinic was blockaded by extremists who prevented me and other staff from entering the clinic. Patients were stuck in their cars, including three women who were coming in for abortions following the detection of fatal fetal anomalies. One woman was actively losing amniotic fluid and was scheduled for the second day of a two-day procedure. She needed immediate medical care. She huddled with her mother and her husband, trapped in the parking lot.
Renee Chelian, Founder and CEO of Northland Family Planning Centers in Michigan, in testimony to the House Judiciary Committee
About the case
To better understand the legality of the Trump administration’s actions, the Center filed two FOIA requests:
- On August 29, 2025, seeking more information on the Trump administration’s decision to selectively enforce the FACE Act.
- On November 21, 2025, seeking more information on the Trump administration’s decision to pardon convicted violators of the FACE Act, including any interference by external, anti-abortion organizations.
The records were expected on or around October 14, 2025, and January 7, 2026, respectively.
Case detailsRelated resources
Testimony of Renee Chelian for the House Judiciary Committee
Theme #1: Removing Nationwide Protections for Abortion
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