On a quiet morning of September 23, 2022, Mark Houck was preparing breakfast in his Pennsylvania home when an abrupt pounding on the front door and the incessant ringing of the doorbell disrupted the tranquility.
The aggressive shouts of "Open up!" echoed through the house, startling Houck and his seven sleeping children.
According to The Federalist, Houck recounted the incident, saying, "You would think they would have yelled, Its the FBI. We have a warrant for your arrest. Please open the door, or something like that. They just yelled, Open up!" The men at the door turned out to be FBI agents, who, in a rather alarming manner, demanded entry into Houck's home.
The FBI, once an institution that rarely crossed the minds of ordinary citizens, has seemingly transformed under the Biden administration and FBI Director Christopher Wray. The agency has been accused of being weaponized against Christians, conservatives, and pro-life advocates with no criminal records. Despite Wray's recent announcement of his impending resignation before President-elect Donald Trump assumes office, the impact of his leadership style has left indelible scars on some, altering the course of their lives.
Upon opening the door, Houck was met by approximately 20 individuals, some armed with M16 rifles, others with pistols drawn. When he inquired about their presence, they responded cryptically, "You know why we're here." It was then that Houck made the connection. "You're here because I rescue babies," he said. The statement was met with silence. Houck added, "You wouldnt be here if the Trump administration was in the White House."
Six months prior to this incident, Houck had received a letter from the FBI indicating he was the target of a grand jury investigation. Houck, a sidewalk counselor at a Philadelphia abortion clinic, has been instrumental in saving over 100 babies' lives by offering pregnant women alternatives to abortion. The investigation was triggered by an incident involving an abortion escort who had been taunting Houck's young son. When Houck intervened, a minor scuffle ensued, leading to the escort falling to the ground unharmed.
Despite the escort's attempts to press charges, local law enforcement and the district attorney found no criminal activity. Undeterred, the escort turned to federal authorities, sparking the grand jury investigation. Houck's attorney had reached out to prosecutors months before the FBI raid, but their calls went unanswered.
The FBI's decision to arrest Houck at his home, in front of his children, at 6:30 a.m., rather than inviting him to their office, was a shock to Houck and his family. He was charged with violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE Act), which prohibits interference with a woman entering an abortion clinic. However, no abortion client was involved in the altercation. Houck was acquitted by a jury on January 30, 2023.
The morning of the arrest, Houck's wife and children were awakened by the commotion. Mrs. Houck, standing in the doorway, asked the FBI agents if they had a warrant for his arrest. "They said, Maam, were taking him with or without a warrant. Like We dont have to give you anything," Mr. Houck recounted. This disregard for the Fourth Amendment, which protects against unwarranted seizures, was indicative of the attitude under Director Wray's leadership.
The traumatic arrest and subsequent federal court case have left a lasting impact on the family. The uncertainty of potential prison time for Houck was a heavy burden. The family has suffered three miscarriages since the raid, and the children have experienced sleeping problems. The incident has also led to financial strain, as Houck's reputation was tarnished, resulting in the loss of speaking engagements and business opportunities that were part of his regular income.
In response to the ordeal, the Houcks are suing the federal government for damages due to the unnecessary raid's impact on their family. "Were holding them accountable on behalf of the American people, on behalf of pro-lifers, on behalf of the First Amendment," Houck stated.
Despite the challenges, Houck ran for Congress as a Republican in 2023, although he lost to incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick in the primary race. The ordeal has left a lasting impact on the family, with Houck lamenting, "You dont feel safe in your home anymore. Thats probably the biggest thing, and maybe the worst thing that the FBI did. They stole the innocence of my children in an instant."
Paul Vaughn, a Tennessee father of 11, experienced a similar encounter with Wray's FBI in October 2022. Vaughn, who had been reading from the Bible and singing hymns outside a Tennessee abortion clinic, was charged with FACE violations and had his home raided by the FBI. The incident has resulted in similar trauma for his children, and Vaughn is now a convicted felon serving house arrest, followed by three years of probation.
Vaughn's case, like Houck's, highlights the perceived weaponization of the FBI under the Biden administration. As Vaughn noted, "The government is supposed to be defending the lives of innocent people. And as the government failed, these people stood up and were willing to do that, peacefully and nonviolently. And now the government is inflicting the price of prison on them." These cases serve as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of standing up for one's beliefs in an increasingly polarized political climate.
Login