If there’s one thing the Biden administration has been consistent about, it’s treating peaceful pro-life activists like they’re the next Al Capone.
However, now, with President-elect Donald Trump preparing to take office, it seems that some sanity is creeping back into the system—or at least enough to hit the pause button. A federal judge, Matthew Leitman, has ordered the Justice Department’s case against seven pro-life activists to be paused until the new administration has time to weigh in. Finally, a bit of hope for those who have been railroaded under Biden’s heavy-handed tactics.
The case centers around seven pro-life Christians, including 89-year-old Eva Edl, a survivor of a communist concentration camp, who were convicted under the FACE Act and felony conspiracy charges for what amounted to a peaceful protest outside an abortion facility in Michigan. These individuals, who face up to 10 years in prison, were essentially treated like felons for standing up for the unborn—a shocking example of how far the Biden DOJ has gone to criminalize dissent.
Judge Leitman, an Obama appointee, decided to put the brakes on this circus until after Trump takes office. Leitman cited the likelihood of a policy shift under the new administration, which could make these prosecutions moot. Translation: prosecuting peaceful protesters under the guise of conspiracy is not only legally shaky but also an expensive waste of taxpayer money.
As reported on the Dailywire:
“As further discussed on the record, the Court will conduct another status conference during the week of March 24, 2025, to receive a report from the Government trial team as to whether there has been any change in the Government’s position with respect to the continuation of this case and/or with respect to the positions expected to be advanced by the Defendants in their post-trial motions,” Leitman, an Obama appointee, wrote in a court order viewed by The Daily Wire.
Attorney Steve Crampton of the Thomas More Society summed it up perfectly: “There is a new sheriff in town, and these prosecutions were always more about the politics of protecting the abortion industry than they were about serious violations of the law.” And he’s right. The FACE Act has been weaponized under Biden to silence anyone who dares challenge the abortion industry, all while SWAT teams are deployed to arrest grandmothers like Paulette Harlow, another peaceful activist serving a two-year sentence.
President-elect Trump has made it clear that addressing these politically motivated prosecutions is a priority. He’s already promised to review cases like this on day one, stating during a Faith and Freedom Coalition conference, “We’re going to get that taken care of immediately.” Trump’s stance is a breath of fresh air in an environment where Biden’s DOJ has turned peaceful activism into a federal offense.
As for the pro-life activists awaiting sentencing, their legal battles might finally see a turnaround. With Trump’s new administration likely to shift DOJ priorities and even issue pardons, these activists could soon be free to return to their families and communities. Leitman’s decision to stay the proceedings until March 2025 reflects this potential shift.
This case is a microcosm of the broader battle between the left’s obsession with silencing opposition and the right’s push to restore fairness in a judicial system that has gone off the rails. It’s not just about pro-life activism—it’s about standing against a government that prioritizes ideology over justice. The pause in this case is just the beginning of what could be a much-needed correction under the new administration.
