Democrats silent on FACE Act charges for Minnesota church disruption
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Democratic headliners of a letter sent just months ago demanding that Attorney General Pam Bondi “fully enforce” the FACE Act against pro-life demonstrators remained silent when asked by Fox News Digital whether the same emphasis should be placed on prosecuting Minnesota church disruptors.
With Bondi bringing FACE Act charges against agitators who disrupted a Baptist service on Jan. 18, Democrats who signed the letter could face a narrowing decision, publicly support investigations under the FACE Act, break with the same attorney general they pressured in 2025, or remain silent as Republicans call for such investigations.
In March 2025, Democratic Reps. Sean Casten and Jan Schakowsky of Illinois and Jerrold Nadler of New York 75-members demanded the title of the letter He said Bondi would “fully enforce the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act and ensure that women and healthcare providers are not threatened, harassed or exploited when attempting to enter reproductive health facilities.”
Fox News Digital reached Casten, Schakowsky and Nadler’s offices by email and phone to ask whether they would consider serious use of the law, originally spearheaded by “liberal lion” Ted Kennedy, against left-wing agitators who disrupted a church service in the Twin Cities in mid-January.
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Rep. Jerrold Nadler (left) and Jan Schakowsky (right) sign a letter calling for investigations under the FACE Act against pro-life demonstrators. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
One of the ministers at the Baptist church was reportedly linked to local Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations.
The three lawmakers did not respond when asked whether Bondi should similarly pursue federal FACE Act charges against agitators or if they had other comments about the minister being heckled by the likes of former CNN host Don Lemon.
Fox News Digital also featured Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, DY, Bonnie Watson-Coleman, DN.J. and reached as many of the other 72 Democrats listed as possible, including Steve Cohen, D-Tenn. – but only got a response from one.
D-Calif. A representative for his agent, Eric Swalwell, acknowledged the inquiry and said they were “looking into” the matter.
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Limiting the Justice Department’s enforcement of the bipartisan law “will put at risk the well-being and safety of patients, providers, and others in reproductive health facilities,” Democrats wrote in their letter.
“Individuals have the right to freedom of expression and to assemble peacefully to protest.” they wrote. “But individuals do not have the right to use physical force or intimidate people because these actions pose threats to those trying to access health services ranging from abortion care to breast cancer screenings, prenatal care, reproductive counseling and in vitro fertilization.”
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Rep. Sean Casten of Illinois is in Washington. (Bryan Dozier/Getty Images)
The FACE Act includes provisions regarding both abortion clinics and the public exercise of First Amendment rights to religious freedom.
Bondi’s office, however, has a number of offices, including St. It has already begun pursuing charges against the alleged disruptors, including Chauntyll Louisa Allen, a school board member in St. Paul, Minnesota, and Nekima Levy Armstrong, who authorities say played a “key role” in organizing the “coordinated attack on the Cities Church in St. Paul.”
Bondi said on Twitter after the incident: “Listen loud and clear, we do not tolerate attacks on places of worship.”
Fox News’ Jake Gibson and Charlie Horan contributed to this report.
