Thursday, 16 April 2026

Vindication for pro-lifers!

Friend,

CatholicVote has been very vocal about injustices suffered by pro-lifers at the hands of Joe Biden’s Department of Justice. People like Mark Houck, who was targeted for defending his son from a verbally abusive abortion clinic escort. CatholicVote presented him with an award for his bravery in standing against the government's attempt to ruin him in court.

Mark was found not guilty and then sued the DOJ, winning a substantial settlement. Now, thanks to the current DOJ, he and others like him have further vindication. DOJ’s Office of Legal Policy has released 800-plus pages under the title, The Biden Administration's Weaponization of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act.

The report offers proof that the Biden DOJ, run by then Attorney General Merrick Garland, systematically targeted pro-life individuals through abuse of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE Act).

<<Help us fight government injustice against pro-lifers.>>

Among the report’s findings:

Biased enforcement of the FACE Act. Under the Biden DOJ, abortion mills received extensive support while attacks against pregnancy resource centers were downplayed. After the National Task Force on Violence Against Reproductive Health Care Providers was revived, the Task Force Director was in regular, ongoing contact with pro-abortion non-governmental organizations, disregarding pro-life groups. Pro-abortion groups also used their relationship with the Task Force to gain internal information and push targets for FACE Act enforcement. Also, the security team at the National Abortion Federation was considered an important source for information about protests the NAF believed the DOJ should look into.

Collaboration with pro-abortion groups to track pro-lifers’ First Amendment activity. The DOJ task force collaborated with abortion groups in tracking targeted pro-lifers’ “1st Amendment protected activity.” Even when the FBI flagged this problem, the task force continued the practice.

Inappropriate conduct and comments. Biden DOJ prosecutors withheld evidence about historical FACE Act prosecutions requested by defense counsel in a Tennessee case, actually lying about the availability of such information, even though ‘substantially identical information” was shared with the National Abortion Federation. In a Michigan case, the Biden administration tried to screen out jurors based on religion.

<<Restore respect for ethical behavior in government.>>

More severe charges and significantly harsher sentences for pro-life defendants than pro-abortion defendants. The average sentence requested for pro-life defendants was 26.8 months. For pro-choice defendants? Just 12.3 months. Actual sentences handed down for pro-lifers was 14 months on average. For pro-choicers? Just three months.

Helping pro-abortion groups secure funding. In a glaring conflict of interest, the DOJ Task Force Director served as a reference on a National Abortion Federation application for a huge private grant. Investigators found no evidence of clearance being given for a DOJ attorney to be involved in a financial outcome for a party involved in DOJ investigations. The report also mentions that it is unlikely the DOJ even has the authority to grant such clearance.

This report is nothing short of a triumph for the pro-life cause in the United States—a cause championed by people like you, who are friends of CatholicVote.

Congratulations, one and all!

Go forward bravely,

Kelsey Reinhardt
President & CEO

CatholicVote

P.S. CatholicVote is able to fight against government strong-arm tactics because of our generous supporters. Please chip in to support our efforts on behalf of people who follow their faith with devotion, even when it leads them into conflict.

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Doctors and patients across social media are reporting a kind of emotional flattening while on GLP-1 drugs.

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Breaking News: Trump taps health veteran to lead CDC, avoiding vaccine skeptics

Breaking News

April 16, 3:51 p.m. EDT

Trump taps health veteran to lead CDC, avoiding vaccine skeptics

The president named Erica Schwartz, a former deputy U.S. surgeon general, to lead the public health agency.

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LOOP: Trump addresses Pope Leo in another post

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THURSDAY, APRIL 16

TRUMP TO POPE LEO: IRAN HAS KILLED 42,000 PROTESTERS In a second Truth Social message directed at the Pope, Trump doubled down on his criticism, saying Pope Leo should consider the Iranian regime's killing of tens of thousands of protesters before opposing the war. READ

TRUMP SAYS WAR 'VERY CLOSE TO BEING OVER' Trump told Fox Business he believes Iran "wants to make a deal very badly," while the White House called talks "productive and ongoing." Iran is now threatening to block all commercial shipping in the Persian Gulf and Red Sea if the U.S. blockade continues. READ

POPE LEO ARRIVES IN CAMEROON Continuing his 11-day African journey, Pope Leo met with Cameroon's president, addressed government officials, and visited a Catholic orphanage — urging leaders to serve rather than dominate, invoking St. Augustine's call to servant leadership. READ

AD: ALIGN YOUR CATHOLIC VALUES WITH YOUR FINANCIAL GOALS Want a mutual fund that respects your pro-life, pro-family beliefs? All seven Ave Maria Funds share your Catholic values. They don’t invest in companies that support abortion, pornography or embryonic stem cell research, or make corporate contributions to Planned Parenthood. Learn more about Ave Maria, the nation’s largest Catholic mutual fund family. LEARN MORE

US BISHOPS' DOCTRINE CHIEF RESPONDS TO VANCE'S 'JUST WAR' COMMENTS Bishop James Massa issued a clarification of Catholic teaching on war and the pope’s authority after Vice President JD Vance suggested Pope Leo XIV should be “careful” when speaking about theological matters, including the Church’s just war theory. READ

JD VANCE'S 6-YEAR-OLD SON BAPTIZED CATHOLIC ON EASTER SUNDAY Vivek Vance received the sacrament of Baptism on Easter Sunday, as his father continues raising the children in the Catholic faith. Vance has said he hopes his wife Usha, who comes from a Hindu background, will one day come to share it. READ

CATHOLIC LEADERS WORLDWIDE RALLY BEHIND POPE LEO AFTER TRUMP'S REMARKS Knights of Columbus Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly called Trump's comments "disparaging" and reaffirmed the Knights' solidarity with the Pope, while bishops, religious orders, and Catholic public figures across the U.S. and around the world added their voices in support. READ

AD: CHOOSE LIFE THIS EASTER You can be a pro-life force for good by switching to Charity Mobile — which sends 5% of your plan price to pro-life causes — and get a FREE phone too! LEARN MORE

CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY TAPS PELOSI AS COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER: SHE 'REFLECTS' SCHOOL 'VALUES' Notre Dame de Namur University in California announced Nancy Pelosi will address its 2026 graduating class, calling her a reflection of the school's values despite her longstanding support for abortion and being denied the Eucharist by her own archbishop. READ

PRO-LIFE FATHER WINS $1.1M LAWSUIT OVER BIDEN-ERA FACE ACT ARREST Armed FBI agents raided Mark Houck's Pennsylvania home over a FACE Act charge after he defended his 12-year-old son from a Planned Parenthood escort during a 40 Days for Life campaign. A jury acquitted him in 2023 — and now the DOJ has settled for $1.1 million. READ

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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is investigating Lululemon over possible “forever chemicals” in its clothing, while the company says it phased them out in 2023. READ
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PragerU is launching an effort to take on what it calls the 'Scholastic book fair monopoly.' READ

HOST A FIRST COMMUNION PARTY WITHOUT THE STRESS Planning a First Communion celebration? This guide walks you through a simple, spring-inspired menu, budget-friendly décor, and easy hosting tips to help you create a joyful, meaningful gathering without overcomplicating the day. READ

CATHOLIC 101 This reflection on the 40 days after the Resurrection imagines the apostles simply being with the risen Christ, healing, remembering, and learning to rest in His mercy like waves carrying them into peace. READ

SAINT OF THE DAY After her visions at Lourdes made her world-famous, St. Bernadette Soubirous endured scrutiny from civil authorities, skepticism from onlookers, and pressure from Church leaders to defend her account of the apparitions. She lived a hidden life of prayer and suffering as a religious sister until her death at 35. READ

DAILY PSALM "The Lord hears the cry of the poor." (Psalm 34) READ

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NEW EPISODE What if cooking could bring you closer to the people you love? Join Cecilia Jean and author Mary Lenaburg as they explore food as a path to connection, memory, and meaning on the latest episode of Flourish. Now streaming on Zeale. WATCH

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