Several Republican senators once again highlighted Merrick Garland's bias regarding his actions against pro-life groups. During his appearance before the Senate Judiciary Committee held this week, the attorney general had to answer numerous questions about the inner workings of Biden's Justice Department, and his answers were revealing.
Republican Senator Mike Lee questioned Garland about the FBI raid on pro-life activist Matt Houck, whose home was entered by some 30 SWAT agents with guns drawn in front of his children. He was arrested on charges of shoving an abortion clinic worker, a charge for which he was later acquitted.
Republican senators questioned why the Justice Department is so vigilant in prosecuting such actions, while the hundred or so attacks in recent months against pregnancy help centers have only resulted in two arrests. Garland responded by assuring that the law applies equally in all cases.
.@BasedMikeLee: "DOJ has announced charges against 34 individuals for blocking access to...abortion clinics...there have been over 81 reported attacks on pregnancy centers...and only 2 individuals have been charged!"
GARLAND: "We apply the law equally." pic.twitter.com/DRqeb5Pee1
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) March 1, 2023
Finally, under questioning from the senator, Garland had no choice but to admit that the Justice Department has prosecuted more pro-life activists than pro-abortion extremists. However, he tried to justify this bias with a surprising argument: the time of day that such actions are committed.
I will say, you are quite right: there are many more prosecutions with respect to blocking of the abortion centers. But that is generally because those actions are taken with photography at the time, during the daylight, and seeing the person who did it is quite easy.
Merrick Garland says that the DOJ has prosecuted more pro-lifers for peaceful protests at abortion clinics than domestic terrorists firebombing pregnancy resource centers because the pro-lifers are doing it during the day and the centers are being bombed at night. pic.twitter.com/8abeyZiHLX
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) March 1, 2023
Does your department have a problem with anti-Catholic bias?
Something similar occurred while Republican Senator Josh Hawley was questioning Garland. Hawley directly accused the administration of being "happy" with the use of firearms against Catholics. The attorney general, again, stuttered through his response.
Persecution of judges and Catholic organizations
Republican Senator Ted Cruz questioned Garland about the legal action taken against those who harassed Supreme Court judges in the wake of the ruling overturning of Roe v. Wade, the landmark case that ruled abortion as a constitutional right. The attorney general had no choice but to admit the lack of arrests and prosecutions in this regard, but not before trying to blame the U.S. marshals for the lack of action. Once again, Garland was backed into a corner.
Sen. @tedcruz goes ATOMIC on Merrick Garland for IGNORING threats against SCOTUS justices:
"Why are you unwilling to say no? The answer is no! You know it's no. I know it's no. Everyone in this hearing room knows it's no! You're not willing to answer a question!"
🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/JfeaIA083g
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) March 1, 2023
In any case, beyond judicial committees in the Senate, the Biden administration's turn against pro-life advocates and Catholic groups in general seems evident. Just a few weeks ago, an FBI report that attempted to link Catholicism with extremism was leaked. In this regard, a score of attorneys general, such as those in Texas or Virginia, are working together to get Garland to explain these moves by both the FBI and the Department of Justice. They recalled that "the targeting of citizens based on their religious views is deeply un-American."
