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Exclusive – 12 Republican senators are asking the Justice Department to explain how the FBI surrounded the home of a pro-life activist and arrested him in front of his family.
In a letter Tuesday, Republican head of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Iowa’s Chuck Grassley, and 11 other senators asked Attorney General Merrick Garland and FBI Director Christopher Wray to criticize pro-life activist Mark Hook. We asked for more information about the arrest and prosecution. Authorities charged Houck with violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrance Act (FACE Act).
Although the case between the parties was dropped, the Justice Department told Houck in April 2022 that he was under investigation for violating the FACE Act. Last week, as many as 20 FBI agents “wearing armor-plated tactical vests, ballistic helmets, ballistic shields and long guns in their hands” surrounded Hooke’s house.
Senators want to know why the DOJ messed with Houck so much and whether it reflects political bias within the Justice Department.
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“This unusual pattern of facts reflects the Justice Department’s determination of why Mr. Hawke was not allowed to self-report his arrest and arraignment, and whether political considerations were taken to authorize and execute the search warrant. and additional information from the FBI,” they wrote.
They also asked why it took so long to indict Houck, a list of officials the Department of Justice has authorized to investigate and arrest, and how many officials were involved.
The FACE Act makes it a federal crime to use force or threaten to use force to “harm, intimidate, or obstruct” a person seeking reproductive health services.
Fox News Digital obtained an email from one of Houck’s attorneys, former U.S. Attorney Matt Heffron, to Attorney General Anita Eve, saying the FACE Act charges are unlikely to stand up in court. “If the government still decides to move forward, I will accept the subpoena on behalf of my client,” Hefron said.
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In the letter, the senator said Eve did not respond to Hefron after at least two attempts, and Hefron “made it clear to the committee that he and Mr. Houck are cooperative with the Department of Justice. Instead, the Department of Justice failed to communicate with them.”
“Given their work with federal law enforcement, the family didn’t expect to wake up at 7 a.m. More than 20 FBI agents wore armor-plated tactical vests, ballistic helmets, and They are reportedly surrounded by their homes with bulletproof shields and long guns.
The senator also cited Garland’s May 20 memo to DOJ officials to ask whether Houk’s arrest complied with the Justice Department’s “use of force” policy.
22 Congressmen push Garland for answers on arrest of pro-life Catholic activist Mark Hook
“Under the title of de-escalation, the memo states: ‘Officers will be trained in de-escalation tactics and techniques designed to obtain voluntary compliance from subjects prior to the use of force. Such tactics and techniques should be employed where they are objectively practicable and do not increase the danger to police officers or others. This allows police officers to ensure their own safety and the safety of the public.
In addition to Houck’s already cooperating with the government, the senator said, Houck’s lawyer told the committee that Anita Eve “means that Mr. Houck is free to leave without posting bail.” He said he “recommended a guarantee” for a self-approved return.
“This shows that the government did not view Mr Hook as a threat to the community and raises questions about why a heavily armed FBI agent was needed to arrest him in the first place.” wrote the senator.
Lawyer of pro-life activist arrested by FBI accuses DOJ of ‘outrageous abuse of power’: ‘pure intimidation’
The FBI Philadelphia Field Office previously told Fox Digital: to prosecution. ”
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“While it is standard FBI practice not to discuss the details of such operations, the number of personnel and vehicles widely reported to have been at the scene on Friday has been exaggerated and the tactics used by FBI personnel have been exaggerated. was professional, in line with standard practices, aimed at ensuring the safety of everyone inside and outside the residence,” the office said.
The DOJ and FBI confirmed receipt of the letter but declined to comment further.