Trump Administration Assembles Report on Biden Justice Department
The Trump administration is preparing a report that accuses the Biden Justice Department of harboring anti-Christian bias, particularly regarding its enforcement of laws related to abortion clinics and pandemic regulations. This report, which NBC News has reviewed, emerges from a task force established under an executive order by former President Donald Trump in February 2025, aimed at “eradicating anti-Christian bias.” A final version is expected to be published soon, according to a Justice Department spokesperson.
Political Implications of the Report
While the report lacks legal authority, it offers the Trump administration a platform to politically challenge the Biden administration. The former president has frequently asserted that Biden is anti-Christian, even as he himself, a devout Catholic, has refuted such claims. At the 2021 National Prayer Breakfast, Biden denounced the “political extremism” that led to the January 6 Capitol riot, effectively distancing himself from these allegations.
Claims of Suppression and Bias
Trump’s executive order alleges that the Biden Justice Department aims to “suppress faith in the public square,” a sentiment echoed in the draft of the task force’s report, which accuses the administration of engaging in “anti-Christian bigotry.” A subsequent analysis by the Interfaith Alliance concluded that there is no substantial evidence of widespread anti-Christian bias in the United States, suggesting that such claims might weaponize a narrow definition of religious freedom.
Focus on the FACE Act and Protests
The report is likely to address the Biden Justice Department’s application of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, established in 1994 in response to violence against abortion clinics. Notably, anti-abortion activists prosecuted under this law during Biden’s administration received pardons when Trump took office.
Justice Department’s Stance
Kristen Clark, who served as the Justice Department’s assistant attorney general for civil rights under Biden, emphasized that the department “enforces the law impartially,” focusing on public safety. She noted that for years, the Office of Civil Rights has collaborated with law enforcement, crisis pregnancy center representatives, and reproductive healthcare staff to tackle the violence and threats that individuals face regarding reproductive health.
Task Force’s Unique Language
The draft report’s language stands out from typical Justice Department communications, as such assessments usually come from the Office of Inspector General. This report includes input from members of Trump’s cabinet, indicating a broader political agenda. The draft is also expected to address a controversial 2023 memo from the FBI that discussed “radical traditionalist” Catholics, a document that both former FBI Director Chris Wray and former Attorney General Merrick Garland subsequently disavowed.
Concerns Over Prosecution
Anti-abortion activist Jonathan Darnell, who was sentenced to prison under the FACE Act and later pardoned by Trump, expressed his reservations about the administration’s handling of the law. He criticized what he deemed as overprosecution, underscoring the potential dangers of exploiting the FACE Act for political ends. Darnell worries that if the law is consistently used against individuals for politically motivated reasons, it could hinder peaceful advocacy efforts at abortion clinics.
