Federal Prosecutors Joke About PROSECUTING NUNS

Group of nuns in black attire gathered outdoors, one holding a megaphone

Biden-era DOJ prosecutors texted eagerly about hunting down Catholic nuns for their pro-Trump rally attendance, exposing a chilling disdain for faith and free speech.

Story Highlights

Sen. Chuck Grassley released shocking 2021 texts from DOJ lawyers Joseph Cooney and Molly Gaston joking about prosecuting nuns spotted in New York Times photos wearing habits and Trump scarves.
Both prosecutors later served as deputies to Special Counsel Jack Smith on Trump cases, raising questions about probe integrity.
Texts surfaced amid Grassley’s probe into FBI’s “Arctic Frost” targeting conservatives, fueling GOP oversight of Biden DOJ bias.
Grassley condemned the messages as “total disdain for equal justice” and threats to people of faith.

Shocking Texts Emerge from DOJ Prosecutors

Joseph Cooney and Molly Gaston, DOJ prosecutors, exchanged texts in February 2021 after spotting Catholic nuns in New York Times coverage of the January 6 “Stop the Steal” rally. The nuns wore traditional habits, veils, and Trump scarves. Gaston texted, “I would like a special assignment of finding and prosecuting them.” Cooney replied, “I’m with you. Although I’d like to prosecute any nun who still wears the head habit.” These exchanges reveal personal animus toward visible religious expression tied to political support. Grassley obtained the texts through DOJ production during his oversight.

Connection to Broader DOJ Targeting Patterns

Cooney and Gaston advanced to deputy roles under Special Counsel Jack Smith, pursuing Trump-related cases. Cooney pushed to link Trump to January 6 events, including a prisoner choir song in 2023. The texts emerged from Grassley’s investigation into the FBI’s “Arctic Frost” probe, which scrutinized Republicans and conservatives post-January 6. This fits precedents like FBI informants in Catholic parishes and DOJ coordination with the National Abortion Federation to track pro-life activists at events such as the March for Life. Such actions contrast with inaction on church vandalism.

Grassley’s Oversight Exposes Deep Concerns

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), leading Senate Judiciary oversight, released the texts on April 29, 2026. He stated they provide “evidence of Biden DOJ prosecutors threatening to use the power of the federal justice system to target people of faith,” showing disdain for equal justice. Sen. Josh Hawley criticized DOJ for spying in parishes while ignoring attacks on churches. A separate April 14, 2026, DOJ report accused the Biden administration of weaponizing prosecutions against pro-life activists. Grassley’s probe continues, highlighting systemic issues.

These revelations erode public trust in federal agencies, resonating across political lines. Conservatives see assaults on religious liberty and America First supporters; even some liberals question elite overreach by unelected bureaucrats prioritizing politics over justice. In Trump’s second term, with GOP congressional control, renewed scrutiny promises accountability. Past Biden DOJ patterns—targeting faith communities while sparing others—undermine impartiality, echoing frustrations with a “deep state” more loyal to power than principles. Catholics and Trump backers symbolize broader vulnerabilities to selective enforcement.

Newly Released Text Messages: Biden DOJ Lawyers Caught Reveling in Plans to Target Catholic Nuns https://t.co/b7m8Dn4b9y #gatewaypundit via @gatewaypundit
the REAL FASCISTS … KING Biden and his court.. THANK GOD TRUMP WON AND DEMOCRATS LOST.. OUR NATION WOULD. E ON THE BRINK OF…

— JimmyD 🇺🇸🇬🇷 (@JimmyD03576) May 1, 2026

Implications for Justice and Faith in America

Short-term, the texts bolster Republican demands for DOJ reforms and challenge Jack Smith’s past work. Long-term, they invite legal reviews of biased prosecutions and amplify religious freedom debates. Affected communities, including Catholics and pro-life groups, view this as weaponization against traditional values. Politically, it strengthens narratives of federal overreach, uniting frustrated citizens who demand government serve the people, not persecute them for beliefs. Equal justice under law remains a founding principle at risk.