Staff Reports
Mark Houck, a pro-life activist, recently filed a lawsuit against the Department of Justice, accusing them of engaging in “malicious prosecution” and other wrongful actions during their prosecution of him on federal charges. This legal action comes after a jury found Houck not guilty of all charges in January of the previous year.
Acquitted pro-life activist Mark Houck sues DOJ for 'malicious prosecution' https://t.co/UIykCgroHS
— John Solomon (@jsolomonReports) May 23, 2024
Houck had been charged with violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act for allegedly pushing a Planned Parenthood volunteer named Bruce Love. The case gained national attention when the FBI arrested Houck in 2022 in front of his family. In a television interview, Houck described the intense early morning arrest by federal agents with weapons and gear.
The lawsuit, filed under the Federal Tort Claims Act, alleges various offenses including malicious prosecution, abuse of process, false arrest, assault, and intentional infliction of emotional distress committed against Houck, his wife, and children by federal employees and agents. The suit is supported by the Institute of Law & Justice (ILJ), a new initiative from the activist group 40 Days for Life.
The President and CEO of 40 Days for Life, Shawn Carney, criticized the DOJ for what he sees as targeting pro-life Americans and Catholics following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Carney emphasized the importance of peaceful expression of beliefs in the public sphere without government interference.
Houck’s legal battle against the DOJ comes amidst his previous announcement of a congressional bid, which was later unsuccessful in securing the Republican nomination against incumbent Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick. The lawsuit and its implications have sparked further conversations about the government’s role in prosecuting individuals based on their beliefs.
The lawsuit filed by Mark Houck sheds light on the challenges faced by pro-life activists in expressing their views without facing legal repercussions. The allegations of malicious prosecution and abuse of power by the DOJ raise concerns about government overreach and the need to protect individuals’ rights to peaceful expression.
