FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 30, 2026
democracyrestored.org

Filing seeks investigation into alleged professional misconduct tied to biased enforcement of FACE Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Democracy Restored today filed a bar complaint against U.S. District Judge for the District of Columbia Sparkle L. Sooknanan stemming from her role as a senior official in Biden’s Department of Justice (DOJ) prior to joining the federal bench in January 2025.

The DOJ released a report on “The Biden Administration’s Weaponization of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances [FACE] Act,” on April 14, 2026, showing Sooknanan participated in and encouraged a pattern of partisan prosecution under the FACE Act.

The Weaponization Report documents Sooknanan’s involvement in politically selective FACE Act enforcement against pro-life activists while federal authorities gave comparatively less attention to violence targeting pro-life pregnancy resource centers and churches. The complaint also cites evidence that she coordinated with outside advocacy organizations, like the federally indicted Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), regarding federal civil rights enforcement priorities, and expressed support for the FBI’s raid on the home of pro-life activist Mark Houck.

Sooknanan also may have lied during her Senate confirmation hearings about the scope of her involvement in highly controversial litigation during her time in private practice.

The complaint asks the District of Columbia Office of Disciplinary Counsel to investigate whether Sooknanan violated its Rules of Professional Conduct prohibiting “dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation,” and “conduct that seriously interferes with the administration of justice.”

“Our 250th anniversary serves as a reminder of how our Founders attempted to design a government that could not be weaponized against its opponents. Unfortunately, that didn’t stop officials in the Biden DOJ from trying just that,” said Houston Keene, Director of Democracy Restored.

“Judge Sooknanan’s previous actions outlined in the DOJ Weaponization Report belie a clear and objective bias against pro-life Americans and that should be scrutinized. An investigation into Judge Sooknanan is critical, as her impartiality in the legal sphere has been heavily called into question, and appropriate action must be taken.”

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