Trump Grants Pardons to 23 Pro-Life Activists – One America News Network
OAN Staff Blake Wolf
2:10 PM – Friday, January 24, 2025
On Thursday, President Donald Trump granted pardons to 23 pro-life activists, many of whom are elderly and dealing with health issues.
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“We have released 23 individuals who were wrongfully imprisoned due to their pro-life activities. They will be free shortly. What occurred was disgraceful,” Trump declared.
The activists had been incarcerated for their involvement in the blockade of a Washington, D.C., abortion clinic in October 2020, where they linked arms to prevent access.
“They should never have faced prosecution,” Trump remarked, expressing it was a “great honor” to sign the pardons.
The release came just before the annual pro-life march in D.C. on Friday, where Vice President JD Vance is scheduled to address attendees.
These individuals faced prosecution under the “FACE Act,” enacted in 1994 to shield abortion clinics from disruptions.
During his campaign, Trump pledged to aid the pro-life activists, many of whom received lengthy sentences. Among them was Lauren Handy, who was sentenced to four years and nine months for her role in the protest.
Republican lawmakers have sought to repeal this law, claiming it has been weaponized against pro-life organizations by Democrats.
“No administration has ever targeted Christians as much as the Biden Administration. We witnessed continuous persecution, from church closures during COVID to the pre-dawn raids on pro-lifers’ homes. Every pro-life prisoner wrongfully incarcerated by Biden should be pardoned,” stated Republican Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.).
Trump also recently extended pardons to all individuals involved in the January 6th Capitol protests, stating: “These people have faced years of imprisonment, and their conditions have been horrific. It’s been a disgraceful situation. It’s inhumane.”
Additionally, Trump pardoned Ross Ulbricht, the founder of the Silk Road Marketplace. Ulbricht had been sentenced to a double life term plus 40 years for creating a black market site that enabled the sale of weapons and drugs, utilizing encrypted currencies to evade detection.
Trump remarked that the pardon was meant to honor “the Libertarian movement,” adding that “the individuals behind his conviction were part of the same group that has been weaponizing the government against me.”
Ulbricht expressed gratitude in a social media post following his release, thanking the new GOP president for the “incredible blessing.”
“This is an important moment for me and my family,” Ulbricht declared. “It marks a significant moment for all who cherish freedom and believe in second chances.”
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