Text messages reveal Biden-era DOJ prosecutors joked about prosecuting Catholic nuns who attended a pro-Trump rally.
| PULSE POINTS |
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Prosecutors Joseph Cooney and Molly Gaston, both of whom served in the Department of Justice (DOJ) under former President Joe Biden, apparently targeted Catholic nuns for attending the “Stop the Steal” rally on January 6, 2021, according to recently released text messages. 📺 DETAIL: Text messages shared on Wednesday by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA)—who is investigating Arctic Frost, a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) probe into Republicans and conservatives—reveal that Biden DOJ prosecutors Cooney and Gaston seemingly targeted Catholic nuns attending the “Stop the Steal” rally. Grassley said the texts demonstrated a “total disdain for equal justice” and an apparent willingness to target people based on their religion. In February 2021, after spotting the protesting nuns in media coverage of the rally, Gaston messaged Cooney: “I would like to take a special assignment of finding and prosecuting them,” to which Cooney responded, “I’m with you. Although I’d like to prosecute any nun who still wears the head habit.” Both served as top deputies to Jack Smith, then a special counsel tasked with prosecuting President Donald J. Trump and his supporters. The nuns in question were wearing traditional veils and pro-Trump scarves. 💬 KEY QUOTE: “Freedom of religion is a cherished First Amendment right enshrined in our Constitution by the Founding Fathers… 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.” – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA). 🎯 IMPACT: This revelation raises questions about the impartiality of the Department of Justice under the Biden government. Earlier this year, Cooney announced his intention to run as a Democrat for Virginia’s 7th district, which is part of one of the most traditional Catholic dioceses in the United States. 📺 FLASHBACK: Last year, internal FBI emails revealed that the Biden DOJ targeted President Trump over a January 6 defendant choir as part of a broader “obsession with piling on Trump charges.” |
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