Republicans Want AG Todd Blanche to Investigate Abortionist Who Killed Full-Term Babies

More than 50 Republican lawmakers are calling on acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to launch a comprehensive federal investigation into the deaths of five full-term babies recovered from the clinic of late-term abortionist Dr. Cesare Santangelo in Washington, D.C.

The lawmakers, led by Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.), sent a letter Tuesday ahead of the Senate Judiciary Committee’s expected vote on Blanche’s nomination.

Among the signatories are Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), and Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), all members of the Judiciary Committee.

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The letter urges Blanche to “comprehensively investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths of five preborn children” and determine if the babies “were victims of the crimes of infanticide or partial-birth abortion.”

It calls for “a thorough investigation into the death of each child, including autopsies of the infants and the preservation of all collected evidence,” as well as proper burial for the remains still held by the D.C. Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

“For four years, members of Congress have remained alarmed at this clear violation of life and law, but the Biden Administration Department of Justice refused to act,” the letter states. “We cannot undo the grievous, barbaric acts that killed these children in their most vulnerable stage, but we equally cannot allow such lawlessness and inhumanity to evade our justice system any longer. Under President Trump’s and your leadership, we are hopeful that these children will finally receive the justice they deserve.”

The bodies of the five babies, described by pro-life activists as fully formed preborn children, were discovered in March 2022 outside the Washington Surgi-Clinic by members of Progressive Anti-Abortion Uprising and recovered by police.

One baby boy was estimated at 28 to 32 weeks gestation.

Another appeared like he should have been in the nursery and was roughly the size of a newborn.

One baby girl showed deep lacerations to the posterior neck consistent with possible partial-birth abortion methods that would violate federal law.

Previous efforts to secure an investigation under the Biden administration went nowhere.

In May 2025, a coalition of nine pro-life groups led by Advancing American Freedom — including CatholicVote, Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, Students for Life of America, Family Research Council, Live Action, Concerned Women for America, Human Coalition, and the American Family Association — demanded action from then-interim U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro.

“What happened in DC was atrocious; a group of pro-lifers exposed the illegal activities of a DC abortion facility, and the DC government instead protected the criminals and attacked the pro-lifers,” said Tom McClusky of CatholicVote. “It is well past time that the abortion facility is investigated for its crimes and that they are brought to justice.”

Santangelo’s medical license in Washington, D.C., expired June 30, 2026, and has not been renewed.

His clinic’s license lapsed in September 2025 and the facility is now defunct. Pro-life leaders have expressed hope that this development means the abortionist is finished killing babies in the nation’s capital.