Written by Hudson Crozier

What’s happening: Five pro-life activists are on trial for protesting a Washington, D.C., abortion clinic last year that was suspected of infanticide. The Department of Justice charged them and four others under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act and civil rights law for allegedly blocking mothers from entering the clinic. They face up to 11 years in prison and fines.

The clinic’s controversy: Last year, activists found bodies of babies who appeared to have been illegally aborted during or after birth at the clinic, according to medical experts. The facility’s top abortionist has said on tape that he would not save the life of an infant after a failed abortion, which is also illegal.

Why it matters: Despite the evidence and pressure from Congress, President Joe Biden's DOJ never announced an investigation into these possible federal crimes. Instead, it vows to protect “reproductive rights” and has targeted dozens of abortion clinic protesters.

A system stacked against them: The five defendants face a jury in the strongly liberal capital city and a judge with explicit pro-abortion views. The judge will not allow them to argue that their actions were in defense of other people’s lives, crippling their legal defense and making conviction a likely outcome.