"Unacceptable to Attack Abortion Medical Facilities"… US Department of Justice Declares Response to Texas Abortion Ban Law

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland
[Photo by AP News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] Amid the nationwide backlash over the enforcement of the abortion ban law in Texas, the U.S. Department of Justice has declared that it will provide legal protection to women seeking abortions and related medical institutions.

On the 6th (local time), Merrick Garland, U.S. Attorney General, issued a press release stating that the Department of Justice will explore all options to counter Texas' abortion ban law and support women residing in Texas who seek abortions.

Attorney General Garland said, "The Department of Justice will provide support from federal law enforcement agencies if abortion medical facilities and related health centers are attacked," adding, "We are in discussions with the Department of Justice offices in Texas and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) field offices."

He emphasized, "We will not tolerate violence against those who provide or seek abortion medical services, nor physical obstruction or property damage in violation of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act."

The FACE Act prohibits physical obstruction, threats, or use of force against those providing or seeking abortion and related services.

Enacted in 1994, this law also prohibits damage to related medical institutions.

The Department of Justice's reference to this law is interpreted as a strong indication that it will actively prosecute citizens who physically obstruct abortion medical facilities in Texas.

Steve Vladeck, a law professor at the University of Texas, predicted that the Department of Justice's future response to Texas law would not be smooth. He said, "We are currently in uncharted territory," and "The Department of Justice will deliberate on response procedures, but finding a method will not be easy."

The Texas abortion ban law, which took effect on the 1st, completely prohibits abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, including cases of rape or incest, except for medical emergencies.

This directly contradicts the abortion rights allowed before 22 to 23 weeks of pregnancy under the 1973 Supreme Court ruling in Roe v. Wade.

In response, President Joe Biden condemned the enforcement of Texas' abortion ban law in a statement on the 1st and criticized the federal Supreme Court for dismissing the injunction against the law. He also repeatedly issued messages condemning the law as a violation of women's constitutional rights.

Notably, the Texas law allows citizens who become aware of violations to file lawsuits instead of state government enforcement.

This has been criticized for effectively blocking lawsuits from abortion-related human rights groups and for creating anxiety among women seeking abortion rights due to the possibility of legal punishment, thereby threatening their rights.

As Texas leads the way with the abortion ban law, Republican-led states such as Florida are showing signs of preparing similar legislation.

In response, the Democratic Party, which controls the U.S. House of Representatives, plans to pass a bill guaranteeing abortion rights within this month.

However, it is unlikely that the bill will pass in the Senate, which is divided between the two parties.

Meanwhile, abortion rights have emerged as a new political agenda, increasing the likelihood that it will be a major issue in the upcoming elections.

In particular, there may be a mobilizing effect among female voters opposing abortion restrictions.

A citizen who worked on a Republican election campaign told The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), "Women voters who support abortion rights could form a new voter bloc."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.