WASHINGTON, D.C. (LifeSiteNews) – The infamous Washington Surgi-Clinic in the nation’s capital has, at least temporarily, ceased operations after he expiration of late-term abortionist Cesare Santangelo’s license.

On September 2, pro-life group The Survivors (previously known as Survivors of the Abortion Holocaust) announced that Surgi-Clinic appeared to be shut down, based on three weeks of observing Santangelo nowhere on the grounds, and video of an activist calling to book an appointment, only to be told “that they are not currently taking appointments, and she is only in the office to refer people to the national abortion federation hotline.” The receptionist expressed hope to resume appointments sometime in September.

That hope does not appear to be fulfilled, however, as Live Action reported that DC Health, which licenses ambulatory surgical facilities in the capital, confirmed in response to an inquiry that the “license for Washington Surgi Center expired on August 10, 2025, and was not renewed.” No further information was offered, such as whether a renewal is in progress.

For years, Santangelo and Washington Surgi-Center have been the subject of pro-life protests and exposés, such as The Survivors’ Stop Surgi campaign. On top of the controversies inherent in committing late-term abortions, Santangelo’s practice has been plagued by numerous scandals.

In 2013, Live Action captured him on undercover video saying that if a baby were born alive during a botched abortion, “we would not help it” (he later claimed he was merely “tripped up” by the question and “trying to reassure” the woman). In 2018, court records obtained by Operation Rescue revealed that he faced a wrongful death lawsuit in 2011 over the death of a patient the year before.

In 2022, the group Progressive Anti-Abortion Uprising (PAAU) discovered the remains of five aborted babies in a crate outside Washington-Surgi Center. While the authorities refused to investigate, an initial medical examination indicated that some of them died by infanticide and partial-birth abortion, both of which are illegal.

But instead of investigating, the federal government took action against the pro-lifers who exposed them. In August 2022, a D.C. jury found the pro-life activists guilty of conspiracy against rights and violating the federal Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act for blocking access to the center in October 2020. President Donald Trump pardoned them and other pro-life activists during his first week back in office, yet the possible crimes the activists uncovered have so far evaded justice.

Last month, The Survivors filed a formal complaint against Santangelo for a “documented history of medical malpractice/death of a patient/serious injury of a patient” concerning six different patients; “documented disciplinary history,” including falsely affirming that he had completed a required “50 continuing medical education (CME) hours” despite only being able to prove 21.5 hours; and  “serious concerns about his medical condition that may reflect on his ability to practice medicine safely,” based on being seen having difficulty walking unaided on multiple occasions this year. 

“This is great news,” medical malpractice attorney Mike Seibel told Live Action. “The failure to renew the license clearly reflects the turmoil and disorganization that is going on within the Washington Surgi-Clinic. Now is the time for the pro-life movement to step up legal action and political pressure to assure the facility never reopens.”