On May 2, Politico reported that a leaked draft of the Dobbs v. Jackson decision would return the issue of abortion to the state level. Forty-four days later, and after more than 40 pro-life individuals and organizations have faced incidents of violence, vandalism, and intimidation, the FBI said they will investigate the incidents.
“The FBI is investigating a series of attacks and threats targeting pregnancy resource centers and faith-based organizations across the country,” the FBI National Press Office told The Federalist in an updated statement on Thursday.
The original statement sent to The Federalist on Monday when asked about the spike in attacks on pro-lifers said, “We have no comment on any specific incidents.”
The statement comes after a number of congressional leaders and Senators sent letters to Attorney General Merrick Garland, demanding law enforcement agencies take action on the political violence. A new report from the pro-life group Susan B. Anthony List compiled 40 incidents of violence, vandalism, and interruption of worship that have occurred since the leak.
One pro-abortion group called “Jane’s Revenge” has claimed responsibility for several of the attacks, including Molotov cocktails thrown through windows and firebombing of pro-life organizations.
“We are deeply concerned that this trend will continue should the Supreme Court overturn Roe v. Wade in the coming weeks unless the Department of Justice, the F.B.I., the U.S. Attorneys’ Office take a firm public stance and proactive response against these violent threats, ” a letter from 16 U.S. senators stated.
Last fall, when the Supreme Court declined to enter emergency relief against Texas’s “heartbeat” bill, the Justice Department immediately began looking for avenues to challenge the state’s law. Garland put out a statement not only pledging to “to challenge Texas SB8 in order to protect the constitutional rights of women and other persons,” but to “provide support from federal law enforcement when an abortion clinic or reproductive health center is under attack.”
