In a significant move, President Donald Trump announced on January 23, 2025, that he would pardon anti-abortion activists convicted for their involvement in blocking entrances to abortion clinics. During the announcement, Trump expressed that it was a “great honor” to sign the pardons, insisting that “they should not have been prosecuted” and labeling the individuals as “peaceful pro-life protesters” AP News.

The pardoned activists were part of an October 2020 incident that resulted in a blockade at a Washington clinic. Among those pardoned, Lauren Handy was sentenced to nearly five years for leading the protest by directing participants to link together using locks and chains to obstruct the clinic’s entrance. During this blockade, a nurse suffered an ankle injury, and testimonies reveal that a woman experiencing labor pains was confronted by one of the blockaders. Additionally, five fetuses were discovered at Handy's residence after her indictment.

Trump's actions come in response to increasing demands from anti-abortion advocates urging him to pardon those charged under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act. This 1994 legislation was enacted to safeguard abortion clinics against such disruptive protests, which surged alongside rising violence towards abortion providers during the 1990s, including the murder of Dr. David Gunn Los Angeles Times.

In a speech criticizing the Biden administration, Trump specifically highlighted activist Paulette Harlow, calling for fair treatment of those involved in the protests. “Many people are in jail over this,” he said, reaffirming his intention to rectify these injustices.

Reaction to the pardons has been polarized. Abortion rights advocates have condemned Trump's decisions as a clear signal of his stance against abortion accessibility, despite efforts to position himself as moderate during his campaign. Ryan Stitzlein, vice president of political and government relations for Reproductive Freedom for All, stated, “Donald Trump on the campaign trail tried to have it both ways – bragging about his role in overturning Roe v. Wade while saying he wasn't going to take action on abortion,” signifying skepticism towards his past comments The Guardian.

The legal group, Thomas More Society, declared that the activists had been “unjustly imprisoned,” and praised Trump's decision as a step towards restoring what they viewed as justice.

Republican Senator Josh Hawley, a staunch Trump ally, also supported the pardons, labeling the prosecution of anti-abortion activists as “a grotesque assault on the principles of this country.” He recounted stories of specific protesters during the Senate floor discussions, urging Trump to continue these actions Le Monde.

This announcement coincides with the March for Life event in Washington, where Trump is expected to deliver remarks through a video address, further emphasizing the timing of the pardons amidst ongoing national discussions about abortion rights.