This isn’t the first time this year Mahoney has been denied prayer on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol. On March 27, 2021, Rev. Mahoney posted on his Facebook page letting his followers know that for the first time in 30 years they had been denied the right to pray at the U.S. Capitol. Mahoney setup a GoFundMe account for those willing to give financially so he could fight them in court.
After filing the lawsuit, Rev. Mahoney told Fox News that he believes “free speech is in danger all across America.” Discussing the suit during a Fox & Friends broadcast, he told co-host Ainsley Earnhardt, “There’s a misconception out there that many people think the Capitol is closed, and it’s not.” Rev. Mahoney cited the fact that members are voting, and other workers are allowed inside the U.S. Capitol building; therefore the only thing closed on the grounds are “peaceful First Amendment activities.
“A Washington, D.C. federal court DENIED our right to have a Good Friday Service on the lower western terrace of the U.S. Capitol Building,” Rev. Mahoney posted after the lawsuit was heard. The reverend however let his followers know they would continue to “press on to open the ‘People’s House!’”
Rev. Patrick Mahoney is also known for his campaigning for the life of terminally ill baby Charlie Gard of the U.K. in 2017. ChurchLeaders.com reached out to Rev. Patrick Mahoney, but has not received a response as of the posting of this article.