WASHINGTON, D.C. (WBNG) — The United States Department of Justice filed a lawsuit on Monday against New York State to challenge a move made by the state that prevents federal officers from wearing masks and requiring individual identifiers, among other things, according to the DOJ.
The lawsuit was filed Monday, June 22, against New York State, Governor Kathy Hochul, Attorney General Letitia James, and Assistant Attorney General in Charge, Buffalo Regional Office, claiming that the state made unconstitutional attempts to regulate federal law enforcement officers.
The lawsuit said that New York was committing criminal acts by prohibiting federal officers from wearing masks, requiring them to have individual identifiers, and banning cooperative 287(g) agreements with numerous local law enforcement agencies, the DOJ said.
The DOJ claimed that these moves by the state threatened the safety of federal officers who faced an unprecedented wave of harassment, doxing, and even violence.
“Governor Hochul 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,” he said. “Our suit today stops New York’s unconstitutional efforts,” he said.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has instructed the Department’s Civil Division to identify state and local laws, policies, and practices that facilitate violations of federal laws or impede lawful federal operations, the DOJ said.
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