The two cases questioned a longstanding precedent that upheld such laws, which opponents say violate free speech rights.

New Justice Department leaders say past enforcement of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act is "the prototypical example" of what they call "the weaponization of law enforcement."

The U.S. Supreme Court declined on Monday to hear a challenge to the legality of buffer zones used to protect access to abortion clinics and limit harassment of patients in a challenge brought by anti-abortion activists who have argued that their free speech rights were being violated.

Abortion opponents wanted the Supreme Court to scrap protest restrictions around clinics. Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito said they would have taken the case.