The U.S. Department of Justice filed lawsuits on Wednesday against Maine, Washington, Oregon, and Massachusetts, alleging that the states have implemented unconstitutional policies by denying confidential license plates to federal law enforcement agents.
According to the federal complaints, the legal action follows previous correspondence from the Justice Department requesting that each state rescind policies that block federal agents from obtaining undercover plates. The DOJ argues that the restrictions compromise the operational effectiveness and physical safety of federal personnel, noting that agents have experienced a recent wave of targeted harassment. The lawsuits state that without access to confidential license plates, suspects can more easily track law enforcement vehicles and evade capture.
The filings further allege that the states are engaging in discriminatory practices by continuing to issue confidential plates to their own state-level agencies while withholding them from federal components, such as the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
“This Department of Justice will exercise any and all lawful authorities to support the brave men and women of law enforcement,” Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said in a statement accompanying the announcement. “Law enforcement officers risk their lives every day to keep Americans safe and must be able to carry out their duties effectively. By denying undercover license plates to DHS components, including ICE, while issuing them to their own state agencies, these governors are pursuing discriminatory and obstructionist policies against federal law enforcement. These actions undermine federal immigration enforcement, allow dangerous criminals to escape justice, and terrorize American communities.”
Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division also commented on the litigation, stating, “The Department of Justice will steadfastly protect the operational effectiveness and safety of law enforcement from these unconstitutional state policies.”
The legal filings are part of a broader, ongoing directive by the Justice Department. Acting Attorney General Blanche previously instructed the Civil Division to review and identify state and local laws, policies, and practices nationwide that may impede lawful federal operations or facilitate violations of federal law.
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