The Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against the state of Virginia over two new laws that the DOJ claims would subject masked federal agents to criminal penalties and threaten local ICE cooperation agreements.

Unconstitutional Laws

The lawsuit, filed on Thursday, argues that Virginia is violating the Constitution by attempting to dictate how federal officers carry out law enforcement operations, including when they can wear masks and what identifying information they must display.

The laws in question, signed by Democratic Governor Abigail Spanberger, are set to take effect in July and would restrict law enforcement officers, including federal officers, from wearing facial coverings while on duty and require them to display identifying information.

The DOJ claims that these laws are “blatantly unconstitutional” because they attempt to regulate what federal officers may and may not wear while carrying out their duties, exposing agents’ identities and increasing risks to them and their families.

Protecting Federal Agents

The Department of Justice is seeking a court order to block both laws, which are scheduled to begin on July 1. The lawsuit names Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones and left-wing Fairfax County Commonwealth Attorney Steve Descano as defendants.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that “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.”

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

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.