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Violent Obstruction of Reproductive Health Services Won’t Be Tolerated, Says DOJ
U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland has issued a stern warning to Texas GOP lawmakers: federal authorities will protect reproductive health services in the state, even if it means challenging the constitutionality of the state’s restrictive abortion law, Texas SB8.
Speaking out against the state’s ban on abortion, Garland said the Justice Department ‘urgently explores all options’ to challenge the law and protect the constitutional rights of women and other persons, including access to abortion. The DOJ will continue to enforce the FACE Act, 18 U.S.C. § 248, which prohibits the use or threat of force, physical obstruction, and property damage that interferes with reproductive health services.
The FACE Act, signed into law in 1994, has been consistently enforced by the DOJ to protect reproductive health clinics and their patients. Garland vowed that the DOJ will provide support from federal law enforcement when an abortion clinic or reproductive health center is under attack.
The DOJ has reached out to U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and FBI field offices in Texas and across the country to discuss enforcement authorities. Garland emphasized that the DOJ ‘will not tolerate violence against those seeking to obtain or provide reproductive health services, physical obstruction or property damage in violation of the FACE Act.’
Texas SB8, signed into law in September, bans abortion at six weeks of pregnancy, making it one of the most restrictive abortion laws in the country. Critics of the law argue that it violates the constitutional rights of women and other persons to access reproductive health services.
The DOJ is urging anyone with incidents, concerns, or questions to contact the FBI at FBI.gov/tips or through the complaint portal at civilrights.justice.gov.
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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