DOJ Sues NJ Over Officer Mask, ID Law

The U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit Wednesday in federal court in Newark, New Jersey, against the state, Governor Mikie Sherrill and Attorney General Jennifer Davenport over the New Jersey Law Enforcement Officer Protection Act. The law, signed by Sherrill in late March, prohibits law enforcement officers, including federal agents such as those from Immigration and Customs Enforcement, from wearing masks while on duty and requires them to provide sufficient identification before detaining or arresting individuals.

The 24-page complaint argues that the law violates the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution by improperly regulating federal law enforcement operations. It seeks an injunction to prevent New Jersey from enforcing the measure against federal officers. Department officials contend the restrictions endanger agents by increasing risks of doxxing, harassment and violence, citing a sharp rise in threats against Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel. The Department of Homeland Security has reported more than a 1,300 percent increase in assaults and an 8,000 percent increase in death threats against such officers in recent months. Recent cases include...