Texts Show Biden DOJ Prosecutors Targeted Catholic Nuns, While Dismissing Their Beliefs

Biden-era federal prosecutors privately discussed targeting Catholic nuns for prosecution simply because they attended a January 6 rally, according to internal Justice Department messages released through a Senate oversight investigation.

The texts, obtained by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) as part of his committee's work, center on a February 2021 exchange between DOJ prosecutors Molly Gaston and Joseph Cooney, triggered by a New York Times photograph showing religious sisters in traditional habits and pro-Trump scarves attending the "Stop the Steal" rally.

"I would like to take a special assignment of finding and prosecuting them," Gaston wrote upon seeing the image
"I'm with you," Cooney replied. "Although I'd like to prosecute any nun who still wears the head habit.”
"Hahaha," Gaston responded.

Out of the Swamp: Comey Faces Arrest Warrant in NC After '86 47' Seashell Threat

The nuns had not been accused of any criminal conduct and appeared in the photograph simply as rally attendees. They were not isolated targets. The same batch of communications shows a consistent contempt for Catholic religious practice running through the prosecutors' private exchanges.

In one exchange, Cooney referenced someone attending daily Mass during the COVID-19 period and remarked, according to the Daily Wire report linked above:

"They really shouldn't be doing that.”

Gaston replied:

"Wow. Good for them, except not.”

In a separate exchange, when the topic turned to Catholic objections over President Biden receiving Holy Communion at Holy Trinity in Georgetown, Gaston called the concerns "insane." Cooney agreed:

"It's ridiculous.”

Grassley has been leading a Senate oversight investigation into "Arctic Frost," an FBI operation that used the resources of the federal government to investigate Republicans and conservative groups in the aftermath of January 6. The texts were provided to Grassley's office by the Justice Department as part of that probe.

"Freedom of religion is a cherished First Amendment right enshrined in our Constitution by the Founding Fathers," Grassley said. "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.”

Showdown: GOP Congressman Whose Wife Is Pregnant Lights Up Dem Colleague Over Abortion Comments

The anti-Catholic bias is not the only concern Grassley's investigation has surfaced. Previously released messages show Cooney and other prosecutors actively hunting for ways to bring additional criminal charges against former President Donald Trump over January 6, Daily Wire wrote.

Both Gaston and Cooney went on to serve as senior deputies to Special Counsel Jack Smith during his January 6-related investigations. Both have since left government and now operate the law firm Gaston & Cooney PLLC.

Cooney is also running as a Democrat for Congress in Virginia's 7th District, a seat that encompasses the Diocese of Arlington, one of the most traditionally Catholic dioceses in the country, serving more than 430,000 Catholics in Northern Virginia.

"Donald Trump needs to be impeached. I'm running for Congress to do it," Cooney said last week.

The disclosures arrive alongside a separate Trump DOJ report finding that the Biden administration used the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act to prosecute pro-life protesters while maintaining regular contact with pro-abortion groups to track the travel plans of Christian activists who had never been charged with any crime.

The timing is notable. Cooney is now asking for votes from more than 430,000 Catholics in one of the most traditionally observant dioceses in the United States, the same faith community his own messages suggest he held in contempt.

Editor's Note: The Democrat Party has never been less popular as voters reject its globalist agenda.

Help us continue exposing Democrats' plans to lead America down a dangerous path. Join RedState VIP and use promo code FIGHT to receive 60% off your membership.