Lauren C. Moye, FISM News
A dozen Republican U.S. senators are demanding Attorney General Merrick Garland answer why the FBI chose to raid a pro-life advocate’s home in what may be a flagrant violation of the department’s use of force policy when the man had been cooperating with their federal investigation.
“The extraordinary fact pattern requires additional information from the Justice Department and the FBI,” the senators wrote. They have demanded further answers and information to be provided by Oct. 12.
Of note, the senators want to know why the Justice Department waited 11 months to indict Mark Houck on two counts of violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act by allegedly assaulting a voluntary escort into the abortion clinic, and if this decision was politically motivated.
For this purpose, they want to know who approved the grand jury investigation and the aggressive arrest tactics used against Houck on Sept. 23. This includes answering why Houck was not allowed to “self-report for arrest and arraignment” as a cooperative suspect in the investigation.
The letter was spearheaded by U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee ranking member Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa). Other committee members are among the additional 11 signatures.
The Senators believe the moment may be a violation of the Justice Department’s use of force policy memorandum sent by Garland on May 20. This memo stated: “Officers will be trained in de-escalation tactics and techniques designed to gain voluntary compliance from a subject before using force, and such tactics and techniques should be employed if objectively feasible and they would not increase the danger to the officer or others.”
According to the Senators’ investigation into the events, defense attorney Matt Hefron, obtained by Houck upon notification of the federal investigation, twice attempted to contact the U.S. Attorney’s office by phone on his client’s behalf without receiving an answer or callback.
Hefron then sent an email promising a voluntary appearance if a summons of appearance was sent in the case.
The Senators stated that Hefron “made clear to the committee that he and Houck were cooperative with the Justice Department. In return, the Justice Department failed to communicate with them. Given their cooperation with federal law enforcement, the family did not expect to be awakened at 7 a.m. with reportedly over 20 FBI agents surrounding their home wearing armor-plated tactical vests, ballistic helmets, and holding long guns.”
FISM previously reported on Houck’s arrest. FBI agents, dressed in tactical gear and carrying long guns, pounded on the Houck’s residence early in the morning. Once let into the residence, agents proceeded to point their weapons at Houck, his wife, Ryan-Marie, and allegedly some of their children who stood at the top of the stairs.
Houck faces up to 11 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a possibility of $350,000 in fines.
Federal prosecutors claim Houck twice attacked a 72-year-old man who volunteered to escort patients into the Philadelphia Planned Parenthood clinic on Oct. 13, 2021.
Houck’s wife has previously defended the attacks, claiming that the man was not acting as a patient escort but was instead an abortion advocate. This man had insulted Houck and his 12-year-old son for weeks with “crude, inappropriate, and horrible things.”
The man had then moved into Houck and his son’s personal space, which prompted Houck to shove the man.
At the time of the incident, the Philadelphia Police Department did not charge Houck. The alleged victim then opened a criminal complaint that was dismissed on April 22 when the man twice failed to appear at trial.