Two years ago, dozens of FBI agents with guns drawn descended on the home of pro-life Christian activist Mark Houck in a terrifying early-morning raid. The 52-year-old father of seven was arrested in front of his horrified wife and children.
Houck was charged and tried for violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE Act) after he shoved a pro-abortion volunteer escort who was harassing his young son outside an abortion clinic in Philadelphia.
While the Biden administration sought up to 11 years in prison and a $350,000 fine, Houck was acquitted by a federal jury in less than an hour of deliberations. He later went on the offensive, suing the Department of Justice. The lawsuit alleged malicious prosecution, retaliatory prosecution, abuse of process, false arrest, assault, and intentional infliction of emotional distress committed by federal employees and agents against Mr. Houck, Mrs. Houck, and their children.
The prolonged retaliation and prosecution took a severe toll on Houck’s family. His wife suffered three miscarriages in the stressful aftermath, which she and the family attributed to the trauma and ongoing legal battle.
Houck ultimately emerged victorious. The 40 Days for Life Institute of Law & Justice, which represented him, announced that “Mark’s family has been awarded over a million dollars for what they went through in the ridiculous raid of his home.”
Furthermore, the Trump Justice Department has fired several lawyers involved in prosecuting anti-abortion protesters, including Sanjay Patel, who led the task force enforcing the FACE Act.
