Senior Justice Department prosecutors in the Biden administration privately discussed targeting Catholic nuns for prosecution. It’s the latest in a long line of ways Biden attorneys went after pro-life and Christian Americans just because of their faith and views.
That particular targeting came after viewing a New York Times photograph of the sisters at the Jan. 6, 2021, “Stop the Steal” rally, text messages show.
In February 2021, prosecutor Molly Gaston texted colleague Joseph Cooney about the image showing religious sisters in traditional habits, veils and large Trump scarves: “I would like to take a special assignment of finding and prosecuting them.”
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Cooney replied: “I’m with you. Although I’d like to prosecute any nun who still wears the head habit.”
Gaston responded: “Hahaha.”
The messages, obtained by Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, as part of his investigation into the Biden Justice Department’s “Arctic Frost” probe, have drawn sharp criticism from pro-life and religious liberty advocates who say they reveal deep anti-Catholic bias within the DOJ.
“Freedom of religion is a cherished First Amendment right enshrined in our Constitution by the Founding Fathers,” Grassley said. “I was appalled, but sadly not surprised, to discover evidence of Biden DOJ prosecutors threatening to use the power of the federal justice system to target people of faith.”
He added that the messages showed the department’s “total disdain for equal justice.”
The nuns were not accused of any crime. They appeared in the photo simply as attendees supporting then-President Donald Trump’s challenges to the 2020 election results.
Both Gaston and Cooney went on to serve as top deputies to Special Counsel Jack Smith in the Arctic Frost investigation targeting Republicans and conservatives. They now operate the law firm Gaston & Cooney PLLC.
Cooney is running as a Democrat for Congress in Virginia’s 7th District.
The same prosecutors also mocked Catholics who opposed COVID-19 restrictions on Masses. Cooney told Gaston that someone he knew had attended daily Mass, adding, “They really shouldn’t be doing that.” Gaston replied, “Wow. Good for them, except not.”
Cooney has defended the Biden DOJ’s aggressive enforcement of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act against pro-life activists.
The disclosures have fueled concerns among pro-life advocates that the Biden administration weaponized federal law enforcement against people of faith who defend the unborn while showing leniency toward attacks on pregnancy centers and churches. Grassley’s oversight investigation continues.
