Justice Department sues New York over restrictions on federal officers' face coverings

The Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against New York on Monday, arguing that the state's new restrictions on masked federal law enforcement officers are unconstitutional and interfere with federal operations. The complaint names the state of New York, the governor, the attorney general, and the assistant attorney general in charge of the Buffalo Regional Office as defendants.

It contends that New York’s law violates the Constitution’s Supremacy Clause, which bars states from directly regulating the federal government or discriminating against federal officials carrying out their duties.

“Despite that well-established precedent, New York recently passed bills, which Governor Kathy Hochul signed into law, that purport to do exactly what constitutional law says it cannot: subject federal officers to criminal laws that seek to regulate how those officers carry out their federal duties,” the complaint states.

The department also argued that the law endangers federal officers by exposing them to harassment, doxing, and potential violence. According to the complaint, threatening officers with prosecution for concealing their identities could discourage enforcement actions and compromise sensitive law enforcement operations.

“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,” a statement from the Acting Attorney General said. ” The lawsuit follows the enactment of a package of immigration-related measures included in New York’s fiscal 2027 budget that were designed to curb what state officials describe as aggressive federal immigration enforcement practices.