Text messages between two federal prosecutors reveal disturbing communications about targeting Catholic nuns who attended a January 2021 rally, raising serious questions about religious bias within the Biden administration’s Department of Justice. Prosecutors Discussed Going After Religious Sisters Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa released communications exclusively obtained by the Daily Wire showing Joseph Cooney and Molly Gaston, both prosecutors who worked under Special Counsel Jack Smith, exchanging messages in February 2021. The texts referenced a New York Times photograph of nuns in traditional habits attending the Stop the Steal rally. Gaston wrote she wanted a special assignment finding and prosecuting the sisters, while Cooney responded he would prosecute any nun wearing a traditional habit. The messages surfaced as the prosecutors reviewed media coverage following the January 6 Capitol events. The nuns photographed wore traditional religious dress along with Trump campaign accessories. Gaston left her position with the Trump administration in January 2025, while Cooney submitted a February 2021 proposal to investigate President Trump and his associates. Cooney currently campaigns for a Congressional seat in Virginia. ICYMI: Texts show two Biden DOJ prosecutors (who went on to work on Arctic Frost with Jack Smith) chatting about how they'd like to target Catholic nuns. Molly Gaston: "I would like to take a special assignment of finding and prosecuting [the nuns]"@cooneycongress: "I'm with… https://t.co/StZcKOBE1i pic.twitter.com/OnbuoQm3wG — Mary Margaret Olohan (@MaryMargOlohan) April 29, 2026 Pattern of Targeting Traditional Catholics The text exchanges fit within a broader pattern during the Biden years. The Justice Department dramatically increased prosecutions under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act after the Supreme Court reversed Roe v. Wade in June 2022. The 1994 law prohibits interference with reproductive health services but saw unprecedented enforcement against pro-life demonstrators. An FBI memo from 2023, posted by former special agent Kyle Seraphin, warned against what it termed radical traditionalist Catholic ideology. FBI Surveillance of Catholic Parishes The FBI under Director Christopher Wray conducted infiltration operations at Catholic parishes and engaged in outreach to Catholic leaders, according to 2023 reports. The bureau’s internal documents suggested white supremacy connections within communities preferring the traditional Latin Mass. These activities represented federal surveillance of Americans exercising constitutionally protected religious freedom. The released communications provide documentary evidence that some federal prosecutors held antipathy toward traditional Catholic religious practice during their official duties investigating January 6 participants. Sources The Gateway Pundit: Newly Released Text Messages: Biden DOJ Lawyers Caught Reveling in Plans to Target Catholic Nuns