The Department of Justice filed a lawsuit on Thursday against the Commonwealth of Virginia, challenging two recently enacted laws that impose a mask ban and identification requirements on federal law enforcement officers, including ICE agents, and restrict cooperation with local police on immigration enforcement.

The suit, filed in federal court, targets Senate Bill 352 and Senate Bill 783, both signed into law by Democrat Gov. Abigail Spanberger earlier this year and set to take effect July 1.

The DOJ argues the measures violate the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution by attempting to regulate federal officers and interfere with federal immigration operations.

SB 352 prohibits law enforcement officers from wearing facial coverings that conceal their identity while performing official duties. It also requires officers to display identifying information.

Violations are classified as a Class 1 misdemeanor.

The law includes limited exceptions for certain undercover or specialized units but does not carve out broad protections for federal agents, despite the left working hard to dox and intimidate them for doing their jobs.

In its complaint, the Justice Department stated that SB 352 “recklessly disregards officers’ safety, public safety, and Federal operational needs.”

It argued that the mask ban and identification rules expose federal agents to doxxing, harassment, and increased risk while carrying out their duties.

SB 783 places new restrictions on Section 287(g) agreements, which allow state and local law enforcement to partner with ICE for immigration enforcement.

The bill effectively limits these partnerships in ways the DOJ says conflict with federal authority.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche issued a strong statement announcing the lawsuit:

“Law enforcement officers risk their lives every day to keep Americans safe, and they do not deserve to be doxed or harassed simply for carrying out their duties. Virginia’s anti-law enforcement policies regulate the federal government and are designed to create risk for our agents. These laws cannot stand.”

This lawsuit is part of a broader effort by the Justice Department to challenge state and local policies that impede federal law enforcement.

Blanche has directed the Civil Division to identify similar interfering laws nationwide.

Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones defended the state’s position, stating, “We remain steadfast in our mission to protect Virginians’ right to safe communities and transparent enforcement of the law.”

Gov. Spanberger, who signed the bills, has framed the measures as necessary for “accountability.”

In remarks after signing related legislation, she said law enforcement officers wearing masks “undercut basic expectations of accountability, sow fear and confusion, and erode the public trust.”

“Governor Spanberger cannot tell Federal officers how to do their job,” said Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward. “And she certainly cannot prohibit them from ensuring their own safety in conducting Federal law enforcement operations. Our suit today stops those unconstitutional efforts.”

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