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After years of what many describe as an overreach by the Biden administration, President Donald Trump now faces the task of addressing its controversial legacy. Among the immediate concerns is a plea from the Thomas More Society, a public interest law firm, advocating for the pardon of 21 pro-life activists allegedly targeted by Biden’s Department of Justice (DOJ).
In a letter sent on January 14, the Thomas More Society urged the president to pardon these individuals, stating they were “unjustly imprisoned and convicted… for demonstrating at abortion facilities.” The letter emphasized that these demonstrators “are richly deserving of full and unconditional pardons.”
Trump, noted for his bold use of presidential pardon powers, has already taken action. Earlier this week, he pardoned over 1,500 individuals prosecuted in connection with the January 6, 2021, Capitol incursion. He followed that by pardoning Ross Ulbricht, founder of the dark web marketplace Silk Road, citing judicial overreach and bias in his sentencing.
“We represent peaceful pro-life Americans, some of whom were unjustly imprisoned and others unjustly convicted by the Biden Department of Justice,” the Thomas More Society wrote. These convictions, according to the group, were secured by invoking the Ku Klux Klan Act of 1871, which is normally reserved for more severe federal offenses.
Thomas More Society Senior Counsel Steve Crampton stated, “President Trump has the chance to remedy the harm done to them and their families, deliver on his campaign promises, and repair trust in our constitutional order.” Peter Breen, Executive Vice President of the group, echoed this sentiment, urging Trump to act boldly to halt what they described as “unprecedented damage.”
In his usual candid style, Trump addressed the issue on Truth Social, writing, “The scum that worked to convict [these people] were some of the same lunatics involved in the modern-day weaponization of government against me.”
Breen and Crampton argue that these pardons could symbolize a shift toward what they term “a culture of life,” appealing to pro-life advocates and the broader public.
Historical examples, such as the abolitionist movement and statements from leaders like Abraham Lincoln, provide insight into Trump’s potential strategy. Although morally justified, efforts to effect societal change often demand patience and tactical consideration. As Lincoln once remarked, his role in governance was guided by duty, even while personally opposing slavery.
Similarly, Trump is encouraged to balance immediate acts of justice—such as these pardons—with efforts to shift public opinion on issues like abortion over time.
Whether Trump will heed the Thomas More Society’s call remains to be seen. Yet, as this issue develops, it underscores a broader debate about the politicization of federal justice and the cultural divides that continue to shape American society.
