Father of 11 found guilty for praying at abortion clinic with 5 other pro-life activists, targeted by DOJ
Pro-Life Father Found Guilty for Praying and Singing Hymns at Abortion Facility
A “peaceful” pro-life father of 11 who was prosecuted by President Joe Biden’s Department of Justice for praying and singing hymns in the hallway of a Tennessee abortion facility was found guilty on Tuesday by a federal jury in Nashville.
Paul Vaughn is one of five pro-lifers who was charged with felonies for allegedly violating the unconstitutional Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act and engaging in a “conspiracy against rights.” Following the verdict, he joined his fellow defendants in singing hymns outside of the Fred D. Thompson federal courthouse.
Vaughn’s attorney at the Thomas More Society signaled they would appeal the case in the 6th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals. If that appeal fails, Vaughn could face up to 11 years in prison at his sentencing hearing on July 2 and up to $260,000 in fines.
“This is a frustrating setback, for Paul, for his family, and for the extended pro-life community, which has rallied support for Paul from the day of his arrest in front of his wife and children by heavily armed FBI agents, on through the trial,” Thomas More Society Senior Counsel Steve Crampton said in a statement, noting that the Biden administration’s aim from the beginning of this case was to “punish Paul and other pro-life people and people of faith.”
Crampton warned the DOJ’s “pattern of arresting and prosecuting peaceful pro-life advocates is disturbing,” and indicated that its case hinged on the unfair characterization of Vaughn as an aggressor instead of a peaceful protester.
Footage of the so-called crime shows a group of pro-life activists peacefully singing, reading scripture, and praying in the hallway outside of a Mt. Juliet, Tennessee abortion facility in March 2021.
BREAKING: Six pro-life activists were just found guilty in federal court after being prosecuted by Biden’s DOJ under the FACE Act for protesting outside a Nashville abortion clinic.
Here’s a snippet of the protest, which occurred on March 5, 2021.
For the crime of praying and… pic.twitter.com/UPzZvtZebM
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) January 30, 2024
Vaughn was never arrested during the protest. Witness testimony from a police negotiator even suggested the defendant was “helpful, collaborative, and peaceful,” according to the lawyers presenting his case.
It wasn’t until Oct. 5, 2022, that the DOJ unsealed charges accusing Vaughn and his fellow protesters of using “force and physical obstruction to injure, intimidate and interfere with employees of the clinic and a patient who was seeking reproductive health services.”
Video of the FBI’s arrest of Paul Vaughn of Centerville, Tennessee. DOJ charged him with “conspiracy against rights secured by the FACE Act, and committing FACE Act violations” for blocking the entrance to an abortion clinic. Paul tells me the footage was taken by his wife. pic.twitter.com/KSDvLRSrlF
— Mary Margaret Olohan (@MaryMargOlohan) October 7, 2022
The defense repeatedly noted that Vaughn’s Mt. Juliet protest did not result in injury or property damage, but that did not stop Biden’s DOJ from twisting evidence to deceptively portray him in a bad light.
DOJ attorneys claimed abortion facility employees were “trapped inside the building during the incident,” even though video evidence of the event exists that the defense says “showed traffic clearly passing down the hallway to and from the abortion venue.” The DOJ also turned one of the protesters who was initially arrested against Vaughn and used her testimony as further proof that he helped hamper the abortion facility’s operations.
Eight in 10 Americans do not have a “great deal of confidence” in the Biden DOJ to do its job well and fairly. Maybe that’s because perfectly peaceful protesters face prison simply because they hold different political views than the administration while the White House’s violent allies who wreak havoc on people and property alike walk free.
Jordan Boyd is a staff writer at The Federalist and co-producer of The Federalist Radio Hour. Her work has also been featured in The Daily Wire, Fox News, and RealClearPolitics. Jordan graduated from Baylor University where she majored in political science and minored in journalism. Follow her on Twitter @jordanboydtx.
How does the decision by the Thomas More Society to appeal Paul Vaughn’s case demonstrate the importance of defending the rights of pro-life individuals and protecting their constitutional freedoms
Pro-life father found guilty for praying and singing hymns at abortion facility. Paul Vaughn, a peaceful pro-life activist and father of 11, has been prosecuted by President Joe Biden’s Department of Justice for his actions outside a Tennessee abortion facility. He has been found guilty by a federal jury in Nashville.
Vaughn is one of five pro-lifers who faced felony charges for allegedly violating the unconstitutional Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act and engaging in a “conspiracy against rights.” Despite the verdict, Vaughn and his fellow defendants sang hymns outside the Fred D. Thompson federal courthouse.
His attorney at the Thomas More Society has announced plans to appeal the case in the 6th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals. Vaughn could face up to 11 years in prison and $260,000 in fines if the appeal fails.
Steve Crampton, Senior Counsel at the Thomas More Society, expressed disappointment and frustration over the verdict. He highlighted the Biden administration’s intention to punish pro-life individuals and people of faith, emphasizing the troubling pattern of arresting and prosecuting peaceful pro-life advocates.
Video evidence of the alleged crime shows Vaughn and other pro-life activists engaging in peaceful activities such as singing, reading scripture, and praying outside the Tennessee abortion facility.
Contrary to the DOJ’s accusations, Vaughn was never arrested during the protest. Witness testimonies even indicated that he was helpful and peaceful. The charges were unsealed months after the protest, accusing Vaughn and other protesters of using force and physical obstruction to interfere with employees of the clinic and a patient seeking reproductive health services.
This case raises concerns about the restriction of free speech and peaceful protest on the grounds of abortion facilities. The allegations made against Vaughn and his fellow pro-life activists suggest an unfair characterization of their intentions and actions. Singing hymns and praying are fundamental exercises of religious freedom, and criminalizing such peaceful forms of protest goes against the principles enshrined in the First Amendment.
Furthermore, the prosecution of individuals like Paul Vaughn is indicative of a broader trend in the Biden administration’s approach to pro-life advocates and people of faith. Targeting individuals for their beliefs and seeking to impose harsh penalties undermines the principles of tolerance, diversity, and respect for differing viewpoints that are crucial for a democratic society.
The Thomas More Society’s decision to appeal the case demonstrates a commitment to defending the rights of pro-life individuals and protecting their constitutional freedoms. It is essential that the courts recognize the importance of peaceful protest and religious expression, and safeguard these rights for all citizens.
Regardless of one’s stance on abortion, it is crucial to protect the rights of individuals to peacefully express their beliefs and engage in lawful protest. The criminalization of peaceful pro-life activism sends a chilling message to those who seek to exercise their fundamental rights. Upholding the principles of free speech, religious freedom, and peaceful protest is paramount for a just and inclusive society.
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