During last year's campaign, President Donald Trump repeatedly pledged that he would stop "weaponization" of the criminal justice system.

Trump acted on that promise this week when the Department of Justice moved to dismiss cases brought against three pro-life activists. 

Trump previously pardoned nearly two dozen pro-life activists

According to Breitbart, the prosecutions were brought under a piece of legislation passed over three decades ago known as the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act.

The law "prohibits threats of force, obstruction and property damage intended to interfere with reproductive health care services."

Fox News noted that it was used by the Biden administration to prosecute non-violent pro-life demonstrators, including grandmother of eight Joan Bell, who was sentenced to more than two years in federal prison.

The 76-year-old was among a group of nearly two dozen other non-violent pro-life activists who received pardons from Trump last week.

"We are so grateful to Trump," Fox News quoted Bell as saying. "And to just feel the fresh air, God's beautiful air, just wonderful. Just being out and being with my husband, my son, just glorious. There are no words to describe that kind of freedom."

Catholic law firm welcomes decision to drop cases

The Thomas More Society is a nonprofit Catholic law firm which is defending the three individuals whose cases are being dismissed, and it put out a statement on social media welcoming the development.

With the news that the DOJ has been directed to dismiss the three remaining FACE Act cases now pending against our pro-life clients, and to amend its charging policy, the Justice Department turns a new leaf.

Peter Breen, Thomas More Society EVP & Head of Litigation, reacts: pic.twitter.com/n5mPLUOvbi

— Thomas More Society (@ThomasMoreSoc) January 24, 2025

"With the news that the DOJ has been directed to dismiss the three remaining FACE Act cases now pending against our pro-life clients, and to amend its charging policy, the Justice Department turns a new leaf," it read.

Meanwhile, the New York Post reported that Justice Department chief of staff Chad Mizelle sent a memo to DOJ employees in which he instructed them to limit use of the FACE Act.

FACE Act prosecution will only happen in "extraordinary circumstances"

Under newly established guidelines, FACE Act prosecutions will only take place in "extraordinary circumstances" where "significant aggravating factors" are present.

"President Donald Trump campaigned on the promise of ending the weaponization of the federal government and has recently directed all federal departments and agencies to identify and correct the past weaponization of law enforcement," Mizelle recalled.

"To many Americans, prosecutions and civil actions under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (‘FACE Act’) have been the prototypical example of this weaponization. And with good reason," he went on to stress.