05.20.2026 (PRESS RELEASE) — Yesterday, the Trump Administration announced a new $1.7 billion fund to provide payouts to people who claim they were targeted with politically motivated prosecutions by prior presidential administrations. The announcement explicitly identified anti-abortion extremists convicted of violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE Act) as potential recipients. Last year, President Trump pardoned 23 FACE Act violators who had broken into clinics, stolen fetal tissue, and attacked patients and healthcare workers, among other crimes. Those same people are now eligible to seek unrestricted money from the fund, paid for with taxes, amid an increasing surge of violence against abortion providers.

Statement from Rachana Desai Martin, Chief U.S. Program Officer of the Center for Reproductive Rights: 

“Twenty-three extremists were convicted by juries of their peers for attacking abortion clinics. President Trump pardoned them. Now, he may even write those same extremists a fat check. It’s no surprise that abortion providers have faced a surge of violent attacks since Roe v. Wade was overturned and Trump re-took office. President Trump is encouraging violence against healthcare workers by sending an unmistakable message: not only will you face no consequences, but you could also be handsomely rewarded. This is not law and order. This is weaponizing taxpayer dollars to reward lawbreakers.”

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