PJI Targeted by Biden’s DOJ

April 15, 2026

PJI Targeted by Biden's DOJ

Federal report raises questions about jury screening practices involving Pacific Justice Institute and similar faith-based legal organizations

WASHINGTON, D.C. - A newly released report from the U.S. Department of Justice has raised concerns about potential targeting of Pacific Justice Institute (PJI) in federal prosecutions, including jury selection practices that referenced the organization and other faith-based legal groups.

The report, titled The Biden Administration's Weaponization of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, examines prosecutorial conduct in several federal cases and highlights internal discussions regarding how prospective jurors were evaluated during the voir dire process.

According to the report, prosecutors in one case explored ways to identify jurors based on religious affiliation and ideological convictions, including potential familiarity with organizations such as Pacific Justice Institute. The report suggests that such affiliations may have been considered indicators of certain viewpoints during jury selection.

While the report does not allege any wrongdoing by Pacific Justice Institute, it notes that references to organizations like PJI during jury selection raise questions about whether familiarity with faith-based legal advocacy groups may have been considered in evaluating potential jurors and potentially used as a proxy for excluding individuals with religious or pro-life perspectives.

The report further notes that prosecutors appeared to focus on identifying religious and conservative viewpoints among potential jurors, while not equally exploring opposing perspectives, raising concerns about the neutrality of the jury selection process.

Brad Dacus, founder and president of Pacific Justice Institute, responded to the findings:

"This report raises serious concerns about how faith-based organizations like PJI may be perceived and treated within the judicial process. No American should be viewed with suspicion simply because they are familiar with or support an organization dedicated to defending constitutional rights. The integrity of our justice system depends on equal treatment for all." Kevin Snider, chief counsel of Pacific Justice Institute, added:

"The voir dire process is intended to ensure fairness by identifying bias in a balanced manner. The findings described in this report raise important questions about whether that balance was maintained. Any process that appears to single out individuals based on religious or ideological associations deserves careful scrutiny."

The report also describes broader concerns involving prosecutorial strategy, including how certain juror characteristics were evaluated and how those considerations may have influenced the composition of juries in cases involving religious and pro-life defendants.

Pacific Justice Institute continues to advocate for the protection of constitutional freedoms, including those guaranteed under the First Amendment, and remains committed to ensuring that individuals and organizations are treated fairly under the law.

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