Attorney General Merrick Garland says Justice Department will "continue to protect" Texas women seeking abortions

While the Justice Department is continuing to explore what can be done to challenge the new Texas abortion ban, which prohibits abortions once a fetal heartbeat is detected, Attorney General Merrick Garland released a statement Monday promising the department would "continue to protect" the safety of Texas women seeking abortions.

"[W]e will continue to protect those seeking to obtain or provide reproductive health services pursuant to our criminal and civil enforcement of the FACE Act," Garland said. He also said that the Justice Department would provide federal law enforcement support to abortion clinics or reproductive health centers that are "under attack." The FACE Act, or Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, is a 1994 law that "prohibits the use or threat of force and physical obstruction that injures, intimidates, or interferes with a person seeking to obtain or provide reproductive health services." It also protects abortion centers from harm or damage.